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Amnesty International Wants Ronaldo To Be An Activist In Saudi Arabia

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Amnesty International has advised Cristiano Ronaldo to use his platform to criticize Saudi Arabia’s violations of human rights.

Ronaldo, 37, has committed to a hefty contract with Saudi club Al Nassr through 2025, apparently worth more than £177 million annually.

Amnesty International Wants Ronaldo To Be An Activist In Saudi Arabia

Ronaldo’s signing by the Saudi club, according to Amnesty, is a part of a “wider pattern of sports washing.”

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As he was introduced by Al Nassr on Tuesday, the Portuguese striker termed Saudi Arabia a “wonderful country.”

Saudi Arabia has made significant investments in sporting events, supporting the independent LIV Golf Series, hosting world championship boxing bouts, and hosting a Formula One Grand Prix. The Public Investment Fund of the nation also supported a takeover of Premier League club Newcastle United in 2021.

Despite certain reforms under crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, such as the lifting of the prohibition on women driving, Saudi Arabia has also been accused of violating human rights, and activists for women’s rights have been jailed.

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While the crown prince denied the killing of writer Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, Western intelligence services think he gave the order.

Amnesty’s Middle East researcher Dana Ahmed said: “Instead of offering uncritical praise of Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo should use his considerable public platform to draw attention to human rights issues in the country.

“Saudi Arabia regularly executes people for crimes including murder, rape, and drug smuggling. On a single day last year, 81 people were put to death, many of whom were tried in grossly unfair trials.

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“The authorities are also continuing their crackdown on freedom of expression and association, with heavy prison sentences handed down to human rights defenders, women’s rights activists, and other political activists.

“Cristiano Ronaldo should not allow his fame and celebrity status to become a tool of Saudi’s sports washing. He should use his time at Al Nassr to speak out about the myriad of human rights issues in the country.”