NEOM: A Vision of the Future or a Nightmare for Human Rights?
NEOM, Saudi Arabia’s ambitious megaproject, promises to redefine urban living and economic landscapes with its futuristic vision of sustainability and innovation. However, this grand initiative has sparked significant controversy, drawing scrutiny over its human rights violations, including the treatment of workers and the displacement of Indigenous communities.
Read on to find out more.
What Is Neom?
Neom is a futuristic city project in Saudi Arabia that’s part of the Vision 2030 initiative, aiming to diversify the nation’s economy beyond oil reliance. Covering a vast area of 26,500 square kilometers in Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk province, Neom was first unveiled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2017. The name combines “neo,” the Greek word for “new,” with “mustaqbal,” the Arabic word for “future.”
Originally budgeted at $500 billion, the estimated cost has now risen to $1.5 trillion, and completion is targeted for 2039. Neom will consist of five main regions, each with unique, ambitious concepts:
- The Line: Perhaps the most well-known project within Neom will be a 170-kilometer-long, mirror-like city designed to accommodate residents in vertically layered buildings. With structures reaching 500 meters in height and 200 meters in width, it aims to offer a fully walkable environment powered mostly by renewable energy.
- Oxagon: This octagon-shaped industrial hub will feature residential spaces and an advanced industrial port. Like the rest of Neom, Oxagon will run entirely on renewable energy sources.
- Trojena: Located in Saudi Arabia’s mountainous region, Trojena will host the Asian Winter Games in 2029. Known for its sub-zero winter temperatures and a cooler climate, it will include a ski resort to accommodate winter sports enthusiasts.
- Magna: Positioned along the Gulf of Aqaba, Magna will be a luxury coastal retreat featuring 12 top-tier destinations across 120 kilometers. A nature reserve focusing on sustainable tourism will also be established here.
- Sindalah: Set to open soon, Sindalah is a luxurious island on the Red Sea, with aspirations to rival global yacht destinations like the Caribbean, Greek islands, and the Mediterranean coast. Covering 840,000 square meters, it will offer high-end amenities for visitors and yacht owners alike.
First Phase Of The Project
Sindalah, the first island of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious NEOM project, recently had its invitation-only opening and showcased a blend of ultra-luxury experiences and sustainable design. Located just 5 kilometers off Saudi Arabia’s northwest coast, this 207-acre resort island serves as a gateway to the Red Sea, aimed at attracting high-end tourism from Europe and the Gulf region.
Sindalah is Saudi Arabia’s inaugural luxury island in the NEOM project and part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan, marking its first mega-destination in the Red Sea. Known for its world-class yachting facilities, the island offers a fully equipped marina and yacht club designed to compete with top-tier global destinations like Monaco. Positioned close to Europe and the Mediterranean, Sindalah can accommodate yachts of up to 180 meters, making it a new seasonal hotspot on the international yachting calendar.
Beyond yachting, Sindalah is also set to become a culinary and cultural destination. It boasts 38 food and beverage venues, including Michelin-starred restaurants, rooftop lounges, and on-yacht dining. For leisure, Sindalah features a par-70 golf course, wellness center, 5-star beaches, and scuba diving in the Red Sea, home to 2,000 marine species unique to the area. The Village, Sindalah’s luxury retail hub, is described as an architectural masterpiece with 51 high-end boutiques offering exclusive brands and services.
Sindalah encapsulates NEOM’s focus on cutting-edge design, sustainability, and luxury tourism. It is expected to draw 2,400 visitors daily by 2028, providing a glimpse into the future experiences NEOM promises across the region.
Eviction of the Huwaitat Tribe
Reports indicate that Saudi security forces have used force to evict the Huwaitat tribe, indigenous residents of the Tabuk region, to make way for Neom. According to a former Saudi intelligence officer, Col Rabih Alenezi, Saudi authorities instructed him to remove Huwaitat villagers from al-Khuraybah, located just a few kilometers from The Line project, with authorization to use lethal force if needed.
The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has also reported that the Howeitat tribe members in Neom’s designated area faced displacement, home demolitions, and inadequate compensation. Tragically, one member of the tribe was killed, while the death sentences of three others were confirmed. Additionally, three more tribe members received 50-year prison terms on terrorism charges. Although labeled as terrorism, these arrests reportedly occurred as the individuals resisted forced evictions connected to the construction of The Line, Neom’s planned 170-kilometer-long city.
Racism
Senior executives leading Saudi Arabia’s Neom megacity project have been accused of racism, misogyny, and corruption, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal
Wayne Borg, a former executive at Neom’s media division, has been accused of making several racist comments regarding laborers working on the project. Following the tragic deaths of three construction workers due to workplace accidents, Borg expressed annoyance at the need for a meeting, saying, “A whole bunch of people die so we’ve got to have a meeting on a Sunday night.” He further demeaned South Asian workers, referring to them as “morons” and implying that this justified the hierarchical status of white people in the workplace. Additionally, he made derogatory remarks about Gulf women, calling them “tranvestites.”
These incidents have raised serious concerns about the work culture at Neom, which has already faced criticism for its management practices. Reports indicate that key executives involved in the project may have been hired despite past misconduct, suggesting a troubling pattern of ignoring basic workplace ethics in favor of expediency.
Exploitation Of Workers
A new documentary titled Kingdom Uncovered: Inside Saudi Arabia has highlighted alarming figures regarding worker deaths associated with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which encompasses ambitious projects like NEOM and The Line. According to an exposé by ITV, over 21,000 workers from India, Bangladesh, and Nepal have died in Saudi Arabia since 2017 while involved in various aspects of this initiative. Additionally, The Hindustan Times reports that more than 100,000 individuals have “disappeared” during the construction of NEOM.
Workers have described their conditions as akin to being “trapped slaves” or “beggars,” with widespread reports of wage theft, excessive working hours, and human rights violations. Over 20,000 Indigenous people have reportedly been forcibly displaced to facilitate the construction of NEOM. One worker, who filmed from within a digger, remarked on the grueling pace, stating, “We don’t get enough rest,” and pointed out that this lack of sleep has led to numerous accidents, with several incidents occurring just last month.
Nicholas McGeehan, director at the UK-based human rights organization FairSquare, criticized the working conditions at The Line, asserting that laborers are subjected to hours far exceeding international minimum standards. He emphasized that such exploitation and abuse of workers is systemic throughout the country
NEOM represents not a shining beacon of the future, but rather a dystopian reality that prioritizes profit and prestige over human rights and dignity. The question we must grapple with is this: can we, in good conscience, support a project that thrives on the violation of basic human rights? The answer is a resounding no. As citizens of the global community, it is our responsibility to call out these abuses and demand accountability. We must ensure that the stories of those who suffer are not silenced in the quest for a shiny new city.
It’s time to confront the uncomfortable truth about NEOM. A truly progressive future cannot be built on the ruins of human dignity. If we are to envision a world where innovation and compassion coexist, we must actively resist and condemn the human rights violations that underpin megaprojects like NEOM. We owe it to those who have already suffered unimaginable losses to raise our voices and demand justice.
Sources: Wallstreet Journal, The Architect’s Newspaper, Middle East Eye, DW News
