Despite its poor human rights record, Saudi Arabia chosen to host World Expo 2030
In total disregard to its poor human rights record and well-documented crimes at home and abroad, Saudi Arabia was chosen to host the 2030 World Expo, scheduled to be held from October 2030 until March 2031.
The decision came while Saudi authorities continue to imprison dozens of human rights defenders, political activists, and women’s rights activists over freedom of expression charges amid very difficult detention conditions.
Over the course of the year, 100 people were executed in Saudi Arabia, including minors.
In 2022, Saudi Arabia executed 196 people, despite the Kingdom’s vows to limit its use of the death penalty.
Harsh prison sentences up to 40 years and death penalties were imposed on people only charged with ‘critical’ social media posts, including women’s rights activists.
PhD student Salma Al-Shehab was first sentenced to 34 years in prison before being reduced to 27 years, while Noura Al-Qahtani was sentenced to 45 years for Twitter posts.
Along the same line, Saudi Arabia was also involved over the past seven years in heinous war crimes in Yemen, resulting in the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.
Together for Justice calls on the International Bureau of Exhibitions to step back its decision and to exclude Saudi Arabia as a host country for the international event, given its well-documented involvement in serious human rights violations at home and crimes against humanity abroad.
Together for Justice also sheds light on the fact that Saudi Arabia’s bid to host such international economic, sports, and entertainment events came as part of its rulers’ efforts to whitewash their foreign image and reputation after long decades of repression and tyranny.
