Saudi Arabia’s governance is deeply rooted in an interpretation of Sunni Islamic law (Sharia) that exerts significant control over social, legal, and political life. The regime enforces strict religious orthodoxy through statutes and the religious police, curtailing freedoms inconsistent with its doctrinal views. Public practice of any religion other than Islam is prohibited, and non-Muslim […]
Saudi Arabia’s selection as the host for the 2034 FIFA World Cup has stirred intense global controversy, not only due to its documented human rights abuses but also its involved role in fueling global extremism. The ongoing tensions expose why Saudi Arabia fundamentally lacks the credibility and ethical standing required for hosting FIFA 2034. Calls […]
Saudi Arabia’s execution of 264 foreigners for non-violent drug offences since 2024 starkly contravenes global sports governance standards on human rights, transparency, labour rights, and press freedom. This raises serious concerns about compliance with FIFA’s requirements for the 2034 World Cup host, implicating the UAE’s supportive regional role and spotlighting broader debates on sportswashing and […]
Saudi Arabia’s bid for the 2034 FIFA World Cup faced immediate and sustained international scrutiny due to the kingdom’s human rights record, leading to widespread condemnation from global organizations. FIFA confirmed Saudi Arabia as the sole bidder and host on December 11, 2024, at an Extraordinary Congress, with 203 member associations voting unanimously after no […]
The decision to award Saudi Arabia the hosting rights to the 2034 FIFA World Cup has been accompanied by wide criticism and growing activism against the choice. The bidding process itself has been described as non-competitive and manipulated. FIFA restricted candidacy to countries in Asia and Oceania only, drastically reducing the pool of potential bidders. […]
The brutal assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018 sent shockwaves around the world and became a stark reminder of the extreme risks faced by journalists and dissidents under the Saudi regime. Khashoggi, a prominent critic of the Saudi government and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was […]
Saudi Arabia’s appointment as the host for the 2034 FIFA World Cup highlights pressing concerns about press freedom and media independence in the kingdom. Renowned for its authoritarian governance and systemic suppression of dissent, Saudi Arabia ranks near the bottom of global press freedom indexes. Hosting the World Cup, a global event that draws intense […]
Saudi Arabia’s 2034 FIFA World Cup stadium construction projects represent a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s ambitions to showcase itself as a modernizing nation. With promises of state-of-the-art venues and global spectacle, the tournament is designed to boost Saudi’s international standing. Yet, behind this glamorous façade, the human cost is substantial and troubling. Reports reveal migrant […]
Saudi Arabia enforces some of the world’s harshest laws against LGBTQ+ individuals, rooted in a strict interpretation of Sharia law. Same-sex sexual activity is criminalized and can be punished with death, imprisonment, flogging, fines, or deportation of foreign nationals. The legal code is uncodified, based on Wahhabist Islamic teachings that treat homosexuality as immoral and […]
Saudi Arabia’s legal system, grounded on strict interpretation of Sharia law, criminalizes all sexual exertion outside heterosexual marriage, including consensual same-sex acts. Both men and women engaging in same- coitus exertion can face severe corrections, ranging from 100 switches for unattached individualities to the death penalty for those who are wedded. The area lacks a […]