After the news about Nicki Minaj performing in Saudi Arabia hit the fan, many people weren’t too fond of this idea. The Human Rights Foundation has penned an open letter asking the New York rapper not to perform at this year’s Jeddah World Fest.
In the open letter, Human Rights Foundation CEO Thor Halvorssen details why he doesn’t want Minaj as a headlining act.
“If you move forward with this performance for a festival sponsored by the Crown Prince, you will be in league with the people who respond to freedom of expression and thought with murder,” he said.
In addition to speaking on Minaj, the letter criticizes Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who financed the event and authorized Minaj’s performance. The letter also explains that any woman attending the performance will need to obtain permission from a man and must be accompanied to attend.
“You recently celebrated Pride Week to stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ community,” the letter reads. “Yet, if you move forward with this performance, you will be condoning, and serving the public relations needs, of a government that executes homosexuals for the ‘crime’ of being who they are,” the letter continues. “It would be disastrous for a public figure of your standing who has articulated a commitment to education, women’s rights, and social justice.”
Jeddah World Fest is scheduled to take place on July 18 at King Abdullah Sports Stadium. The event will be broadcasted globally by MTV. In addition to the Queen rapper, Liam Payne, Steve Aoki and R3 Wire & Varski are set to headline the event.
Nicki Minaj nor her team have yet to respond to the Human Rights Foundation letter. Read the entire letter here.