Enlarge image
Singer Bieber
Photo: Yui Mok / dpa
Pop star Justin Bieber (27) is under criticism for a planned concert in Saudi Arabia.
The singer is scheduled to perform on December 5th as part of a Formula 1 race in the coastal city of Jeddah.
Now the fiancée of the murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi urged him to cancel the performance.
"Don't sing for the killers of my beloved Jamal," wrote Hatice Cengiz in an article for the Washington Post on Saturday.
Human rights groups like Human Rights Watch are also pushing Bieber to decline.
Khashoggi was killed in 2018 in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul by a special command from Riyadh when he was going to pick up papers for his wedding.
A UN special rapporteur found evidence of a possible personal responsibility of the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Khashoggi had lived in the United States before his death and had often criticized the monarchy.
Image campaign with international artists
Justin Bieber now has a "unique opportunity," wrote Cengiz: he could make it clear to the world with a rejection that his "name and talent will not be used to restore the reputation of a regime that is killing its critics."
Bieber has released albums with the titles »Justice« and »Freedom« - »Saudi Arabia urgently needs both«.
more on the subject
From exile: Ex-secret service general raises serious allegations against the Saudi crown prince
Report on murder of government critics: perpetrators in the Khashoggi case apparently trained in the USA
Saudi Arabia: Human rights officer is said to be behind death threat against UN investigator
Saudi Arabia is also generally criticized for the human rights situation.
Despite some easing of public life, women's rights, for example, are still more restricted than in almost any other country.
Government critics, political activists and members of the LGBTQ community are often aggressively persecuted.
For several years now, Saudi Arabia has been trying to attract international artists to the country.
Among others, Enrique Iglesias, the Black Eyed Peas, Nelly, Mariah Carey and the K-pop group BTS performed there.
Shows by US rapper Asap Rocky and French star DJ David Guetta are also planned for December 5th.
The rapper Nicki Minaj, on the other hand, canceled an appearance in 2019.
him / dpa