The state of human rights in Saudi Arabia has been highlighted alongside the kingdom’s efforts to attract affluent expatriates through its Residency by Investment (RBI) programme.
Despite the country’s attractiveness, wealth and ancient culture, this programme contrasts starkly with disturbing allegations about the enforcement methods employed to clear the way for the Neom mega-project.
“According to a former intelligence officer, as reported by the BBC, Saudi forces have reportedly been authorised to employ deadly force to remove inhabitants from the project’s designated area.”
Central to Neom is ‘The Line’, a proposed futuristic city that has garnered support from numerous Western companies. According to a former intelligence officer, as reported by the BBC a few hours ago, Saudi forces have reportedly been authorised to employ deadly force to remove inhabitants from the project’s designated area.
Colonel Rabih Alenezi claimed he was instructed to forcibly evict a local tribe to pave the way for The Line, a major component of the $500 billion Neom eco-region and a flagship of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative to reduce its oil dependency. Tragically, these evictions have already resulted in at least one death—a villager shot for resisting displacement.
The Saudi government and Neom’s management have declined to comment on these allegations.
Neom is envisaged as a narrow, car-free zone stretching over 170 kilometres, with ambitious completion targets set for 2030. However, the aggressive push for this development has led to the displacement of over 6,000 people, with human rights groups suggesting even higher numbers.
This upheaval has involved the destruction of entire villages, including homes, schools, and hospitals, as satellite imagery analysis by the BBC confirms. The affected communities, predominantly from the Huwaitat tribe, have long inhabited the region, adding to the controversy and outcry over their treatment.
Col Alenezi, now a UK exile, disclosed that the clearance directive described the Huwaitat as rebellious, authorising lethal responses to any resistance. His revelations raise grave concerns about the human rights implications of Saudi Arabia’s modernisation efforts, reflecting a pattern of harsh enforcement that has included detentions and alleged killings linked to these projects.
These actions, while intended to transform the economic landscape of Saudi Arabia, have also sparked significant international criticism, particularly regarding the treatment of local populations and the suppression of dissent within the kingdom.
On 10 January 2024, the Government of Saudi Arabia introduced five premium residency products to attract investors, skilled professionals, and entrepreneurs, marking a pivotal shift in its immigration policy. These products – Special Talent, Gifted, Investor, Entrepreneur, and Real Estate Owner Residency – do not require sponsorship, allowing applicants to self-sponsor their visas. This approach is part of a broader trend in the Middle East aimed at simplifying entry for valuable contributors to economic growth.
Defying sceptics, Saudi Arabia has been aggressively investing in Neom, a region the size of Albania, envisioned as a hub with sci-fi architecture, an arid ski resort, and numerous ambitious projects. Initially, The Line, a centrepiece of Neom, was projected to house 1.5 million people by 2030. However, due to various challenges, this target has been drastically reduced to fewer than 300,000, with only 2.4 kilometres of the planned 170 kilometres expected to be completed by that date. This scaling back reflects the financial and practical constraints impacting the broader Vision 2030 goals.
Despite these setbacks, Saudi Arabia continues to advance other parts of Neom, such as the development of a luxury tourist destination on the Red Sea and an industrial city. The sovereign wealth fund’s cash constraints and the need to extend project timelines highlight the complex dynamics between ambitious developmental goals and the harsh realities of implementation.
In 2024, Neom will also see the opening of Sindalah, a new luxury island destination situated off its coast. Covering over 840,000 square metres and consisting of a group of islands, Sindalah will feature three luxury resorts, a yacht club, over 50 luxury brands, and 86 piers. This development positions Saudi Arabia to offer stiff competition to its neighbours like the UAE and Qatar, both of which are actively promoting their own Investment Migration programmes, and Egypt in attracting high-end tourism and investment.
Other notable organisations, such as Amnesty International, Prisoners of Conscience, and the European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights (ESOHR), continue to express serious concerns about Saudi Arabia’s human rights practices. Moreover, the Saudi regime employs sophisticated public relations strategies, including hiring international firms like Qorvis and MSLGroup, to mitigate criticism and manage its global reputation.
These developments underscore the complexities of Saudi Arabia’s path towards modernisation, where economic ambitions often clash with the realities of human rights and local community impacts. The kingdom’s strategy to attract global talent and investment continues to unfold amid these challenges, reflecting a delicate balance between progress and preservation.
IMGW.News is committed to reporting fairly on matters related to Investment Migration, Real Estate, and Wealth Management. We are also sensitive to issues concerning human rights and the social improvements derived from economic investments in these fields. We believe that providing our readers with the broadest possible perspective enables a better understanding of the news.