Saudi tribes resist evictions for $500 billion Neom project, UN experts voice concern over imminent executions

Saudi tribes resist evictions for $500 billion Neom project

UN experts voice concern over   imminent executions

The Neom project in Saudi Arabia has been the subject of controversy due to its forceful eviction of villagers to make way for the construction of a futuristic desert city. It has raised serious human rights concerns. International attention is focused on the impact of Neom’s development on local communities. The use of lethal force in such cases is deeply troubling and warrants close scrutiny of the developments.

Neom is a massive $500 billion eco-region project in Saudi Arabia, part of the country’s Saudi Vision 2030 strategy to diversify its economy away from oil. The flagship project within Neom is called The Line, which is envisioned as a car-free city stretching 170 kilometers (106 miles) long and only 200 meters (656 feet) wide. However, as of now, only 2.4 kilometer stretch of ‘The Line’ is expected to be completed by 2030.

Forced Evictions

To clear land for Neom, Saudi authorities have reportedly permitted the use of lethal force against villagers who resisted eviction.

Col. Rabih Alenezi, a former Saudi intelligence officer, revealed that he was ordered to evict villagers from the Huwaitat tribe in the Gulf state to make way for The Line.

One villager, Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti, was shot and killed during the eviction process after he protested against the forced eviction. Human rights organizations and the UN believe he was killed simply for resisting eviction.

Satellite images show that villages like al-Khuraybah, Sharma, and Gayal have been wiped off the map, including homes, schools, and hospitals.

UN Concerns:

UN experts have expressed alarm over imminent executions linked to the Neom project. Members of the Howeitat tribe were charged with terrorism but were reportedly arrested for resisting forced evictions in the name of Neom and The Line.

Saudi Security Officers’ Orders

According to another source, Saudi security officers were ordered to use lethal force against people resisting eviction for Neom and other redevelopments in the Qatif region.