Riyadh Comedy Festival draws stars amid human rights debate

The inaugural Riyadh Comedy Festival opened in Saudi Arabia on Sept. 26 and, running through Oct. 9, has drawn a high-profile roster of more than 50 comedians and intense debate about the ethics of performing in a country long criticized for its human rights record. Headliners including Dave Chappelle, Bill Burr, Louis C.K., Kevin Hart and Pete Davidson have performed for large crowds in Riyadh, while several comedians declined invitations or withdrew amid public scrutiny.

The festival’s lineup and the decision by many Western comics to appear have prompted sharp criticism from colleagues and rights groups who say Saudi authorities are using high-profile entertainment to soften the kingdom’s international image. Human Rights Watch said governmentsponsored cultural events risk deflecting attention from continuing restrictions on free expression, detention of dissidents and reported executions. The timing of the festival has also renewed attention to the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and recent reported punishments for social media speech.

Some performers defended their participation as cultural exchange. Onstage in Riyadh, Dave Chappelle said he felt freer to address...