For security reasons, when implementing major national projects that result in public and national benefits, states have the right to evacuate residents from some areas, in accordance with human rights laws and after explaining the project to the residents and obtaining their approval, while preserving their rights to adequate compensation and providing a suitable housing environment for them.
Governments must realize that this matter may result in major social and political tensions, which may be prolonged. It may threaten the stability of the state for some time unless the state deals wisely with the matter.
Therefore, democratic countries that believe in human rights do not take such a step except in extreme situations.
Does this apply to bin Salmans’ NEOM?
We must consider the principles used during the process of displacement and evacuation in order to determine the correct answer.
First: Is NEOM an urgent necessity for Saudi’s economy, security, or politics?
NEOM project is not a necessary project, for many reasons, the most important of which is the deteriorating economic conditions that KSA is going through, which does not qualify it to complete a project with such an unrealistic vision and at such cost as well.
The project will not benefit the economy of KSA economy or society, as bin Salman aims to create a special environment for a private society and specific citizens of his choice, which means that the Saudi society would not have any gains from such a project.
Second: Did the Saudi government provide guarantees of the rights of citizens who were displaced, their homes demolished, and forcibly had their lands annexed to the project?
After a deep research, it was clear that KSA government -an authoritarian regime- does not believe in the right of man to a decent life and does not respect his freedom. It did not preserve the dignity and rights of AlKheriba, Al-Awameyah and Huwaitat tribe’s residents. It rather forced the families to leave their lands without providing them with adequate compensation to buy new houses in new areas, nor did it provide them with job opportunities to guarantee a stable life for them.
The Saudi authorities arrested all those who refused to leave their homes, lands, and workplaces, as the number of breadwinners in Saudi prisons has reached nearly thirty detainees, who were subjected to severe physical and psychological abuse, and threats to arrest their women, to forcibly displace them, yet they still refuse to give up their homes and lands.
Read More: Neom’s propaganda is failing to impress its target audience
