(Beirut) – In an astoundingly creative twist, the Saudi government has decided to host the Riyadh Comedy Festival 2025 from September 26 to October 9—just in time to distract everyone from its impressive record of human rights abuses. I guess nothing says “we respect free speech” quite like a comedy festival occurring on the anniversary of journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s untimely demise. It’s the perfect assortment of laughs and “let’s not talk about that!”
Participation in this festival offers comedians a shiny platform, and it could also serve as a moment to tell Saudi authorities they should let go of some of those unjustly detained dissidents and journalists. The festival boasts a lineup that reads like a wish list from a comedy fan: Aziz Ansari, Hannibal Buress, Bill Burr, the list goes on. But wait! Tim Dillon is out after joking about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, which is like being fired from a job at a bakery for pointing out that the bread is, well, made of bread.
Joey Shea, a real advocate from Human Rights Watch, bluntly states, “The seventh anniversary of Jamal Khashoggi’s brutal murder is no laughing matter.” Shouldn’t the comedians receiving enormous sums be saying something about that? It’s almost as if getting paid a fortune transforms them into mutes on certain subjects, particularly human rights and free speech. Is silence really golden, or just really, really expensive?
In a proactive move, Human Rights Watch sent out emails to various comedians, asking them to chat about Saudi Arabia’s ongoing human rights crisis. Crickets. It seems the email dived into the Bermuda Triangle of inboxes, never to be read. Meanwhile, Waleed Abu al-Khair sits in jail, simply for being a human rights defender. What a deal—a comedy performance in exchange for ignoring real struggles. And don’t even get me started on Manahel al-Otaibi, who was only trying to promote women’s rights for a measly 5-year prison sentence!
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman surely has a flair for theatrics, funding significant events with major stars. All part of the grand “Vision 2030” plan—or as I like to call it “Operation Make Us Look Good While We Carry Out Human Rights Violations.” They’re selling this idea of a new entertainment industry while quietly tightening the shackles on civil and political rights. It’s like doing a dance on a bed of nails—simple, yet utterly painful.
Now, comedian Tim Dillon did strike a comedic goldmine—$375,000 for one show! But when he humorously pointed out issues with migrant workers, he was swiftly “let go.” Dillon had the audacity to joke about things that, you know, people are usually jailed for—or just ignored entirely. “I believe in my financial well-being,” he said, proving that money might just mean more than morals to some. Perhaps his wallet has a much louder voice than his conscience?
Jimmy Carr, co-headlining the festival, has perfected the art of performing while tiptoeing around free speech issues. He could give masterclasses on staying on the thin line between laughing and serious condemnation, perhaps a skill honed by walking the high wire between entertainment and ethics. His website remains curiously silent about his upcoming gig in Saudi Arabia—a plot twist more absurd than most of his jokes!
Ultimately, the Riyadh Comedy Festival may serve a dual purpose: to entertain and empower while conveniently whitewashing a government intent on quashing dissent. As Joey Shea sums it up, “Comedians performing in Riyadh should speak out against serious rights abuses.” Because let’s face it—performing to an audience that can’t critique your jokes comes with its own kind of humor. It’s just tragic irony at its best!
