Why Human Rights Watch Rejects Donations from Aziz Ansari and Other Comedians Linked to the Riyadh Comedy Festival

Aziz Ansari recently faced criticism for performing at the Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia. He said he would donate part of his earnings to organizations like Reporters Without Borders and Human Rights Watch, which have spoken out against the Saudi regime.

However, Human Rights Watch made it clear they cannot accept such donations from artists involved in the festival. Joey Shea, a researcher for the organization, urged performers to use their platforms to advocate for Saudi activists imprisoned for expressing their views. She emphasized the importance of supporting free speech, especially in a country where it’s heavily restricted.

In a similar context, Arvind Ganesan from Human Rights Watch said that accepting donations from these performers could compromise the organization’s independence. He stressed that they have been critical of the comedians for taking part in an event hosted by a government with a notorious human rights record.

Comedians like Jimmy Kimmel have also expressed concerns. Kimmel pointed out the harsh realities of the Saudi regime during a discussion with Ansari, questioning the decision to engage with such a government. Ansari defended his choice, suggesting that comedy could help foster dialogue and openness.

The festival, which ran from late September to early October, sparked debates within the comedy community. While some prominent comedians, like Dave Chappelle and Bill Burr, embraced the opportunity, others, including Shane Gillis and Atsuko Okatsuka, chose to turn it down. Okatsuka explained her decision on social media, highlighting the unethical nature of accepting money from a regime known for severe human rights violations.

In his defense, Burr shared a positive personal experience, noting that the Saudi royals enjoyed the performance. Meanwhile, David Cross condemned his fellow comedians, arguing that their participation undermined discussions around freedom of speech.

Recent surveys have shown that a significant number of people disapprove of Western artists collaborating with repressive regimes. This highlights a growing scrutiny over entertainers’ decisions to perform in countries with poor human rights records.

Ultimately, this controversy around the Riyadh Comedy Festival reflects a broader tension between artistic expression and moral responsibility. As more comedians find themselves in these situations, the dialogue around ethics in entertainment continues to evolve.



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Aziz Ansari,Human Rights Watch,Riyadh Comedy Festival