Several renowned comedians from around the globe have gathered in Saudi Arabia to take part in the Riyadh Comedy Festival, sparking mixed reactions.
The involvement of well-known figures in the comedy industry such as Dave Chappelle, Louis C.K., Pete Davidson, Kevin Hart, and Russell Peters has raised concerns among other comedians and human rights organizations due to the host nation’s history of human rights violations.
Organized by Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, the Riyadh Comedy Festival is promoted as the “world’s largest comedy festival,” featuring over 50 legendary standup comedians from September 26 to October 9.
Comedian Marc Maron humorously referenced the festival in a standup routine shared on Instagram, joking about the event’s origins and his absence from the lineup.
In a satirical social media clip, comedian and actor Zach Woods mocked those critical of the festival, labeling them as “drips, killjoys, and dweebazoids.”
Highlighting the controversy, comedians Shane Gillis, Mike Birbiglia, and Stavros Halkias revealed that they turned down invitations to perform at the festival.
Comedians Urged to Speak Out: Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch called on the participating comedians to leverage their platform at the festival to advocate for the release of activists and journalists detained for criticizing the government, warning that failing to do so would contribute to whitewashing the Saudi government’s image.
Joey Shea, the Saudi Arabia researcher for Human Rights Watch, emphasized the importance of addressing prohibited topics such as human rights and free speech, especially in light of the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Khashoggi, a vocal critic of the Saudi government, was assassinated at the Saudi consulate in Turkey in 2018, with U.S. intelligence agencies later implicating the crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, in his death.
While acknowledging some societal changes under bin Salman’s rule, Shea underscored that his leadership has coincided with a concerning decline in human rights in the country.
Shea highlighted the severe consequences faced by dissenters in Saudi Arabia, with instances of imprisonment and executions, including journalist Turki al-Jasser who was put to death for alleged “high treason.”
Compromising Principles for Profit
One comedian admitted to participating in the festival solely for financial gain, stating that the payment justified overlooking certain issues.
During a podcast episode, comedian Tim Dillon revealed his substantial earnings for the event but later disclosed being removed from the lineup after criticizing Saudi Arabia’s use of forced labor.
While Dillon expressed willingness to adhere to the festival’s guidelines, he objected to external attempts to control his speech beyond the event.
Censorship and Restrictions
Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka declined an offer to perform at the festival and shared details of censorship rules outlined in the performance contract, restricting jokes that may disparage Saudi Arabia, its royal family, or religious figures.