... Neom, the futuristic megacity being built on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, is the flagship project of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030, a programme to diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy and reduce its dependence on oil revenues. The Saudi authorities are seeking billions of dollars in foreign investment and technical expertise in order to develop Neom, yet in getting started on the project they have already committed a wide range of serious human rights abuses of which all potential partners, investors and consultants should be aware.

ALQST has made a detailed investigation into these violations, based on first-hand testimonies from victims and witnesses as well as open-source data. In this report, it presents its findings and urges businesses involved, or thinking of becoming involved, to look closely into their corporate responsibilities and avoid becoming complicit in the Saudi authorities’ human rights abuses ...