Thursday’s announcement, by race organisers and F1, also raised concerns from human rights activists who accuse Saudi Arabia of “sportswashing” – using sport events to create a positive image...

Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al Faisal, president of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation... [said]

“I firmly believe the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will be the biggest sports event hosted in our country’s history and has the potential to change lives, perceptions and reach new audiences and communities like never before,” he said...

On Thursday, UN experts demanded Saudi authorities for the “immediate release” of jailed Saudi women’s right activist Loujain al-Hathloul, who has been on a hunger strike since last week for multiple postponements of her trial...

There are also various allegations of serious rights violations in Saudi Arabia, including reports of torture, arbitrary detention and enforced disappearances and HRW noted the Saudi-led coalition also continues to commit war crimes against civilians in Yemen.