On May 2020, rights group, European Saudi Organization for Human Rights (ESOHR) wrote to Softbank Group, asking the group to reconsider its involvement with Saudi mega futuristic city project NEOM. The statement reminded that NEOM project has allegedly led to forcibly evictions, as well as the killing of land rights defender Abdullah Al Huwaiti.

ESOHR has called on the company’s own commitment to human rights and ethical decision-making to shy away from the Neom project.

On June 2020, Softbank has provided a response to ESOHR refuting any financial support to the NEOM project.

The full ESOHR statement as we'll as the company response can be read below.