On 17 March 2026, Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) delivered an intervention during the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, under the General Debate of Item 4. The organization highlighted the serious human rights impacts of major construction projects in Saudi Arabia, including Vision 2030 initiatives such as NEOM and The Line, as well as preparations for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, on both workers and local communities. ADHRB expressed concern over the conditions faced by migrant workers, including precarious legal status and exploitative labour practices, as well as reports of forced evictions affecting local communities. The organization called on the Council to urge Saudi Arabia to halt forced evictions, protect workers’ rights, and ensure independent oversight and accountability.
We draw the Council’s attention to the serious human rights implications for both workers and local communities arising from Saudi Arabia’s major construction projects.
Flagship initiatives under Vision 2030, including NEOM and The Line, as well as preparations for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, are presented as symbols of innovation and sustainability. However, these megaprojects depend on a workforce of more than 16 million people, the great majority of whom are migrant workers. Many face precarious legal status, limited labour protections, excessive working hours, exposure to extreme summer heat, delayed or withheld wages, and restricted access to effective remedies.
Moreover, reports indicate that, in order to facilitate construction, members of the Huwaitat tribe were forcibly evicted, and some individuals were arrested after peacefully opposing displacement from their ancestral lands.
These practices raise serious concerns regarding the rights to adequate housing, just and favourable conditions of work, and freedom of expression.
We call on the Council to urge Saudi Arabia to halt forced evictions, protect migrant workers’ rights, and ensure independent oversight and accountability.
