Several Gulf countries are driving forward mega-projects as part of efforts to diversify their economies and elevate their global image. However, these developments often come at a significant human rights cost, particularly through forced evictions and displacement of vulnerable communities.
Saudi Arabia’s $500 billion NEOM project, envisioned as a futuristic city stretching across the Tabuk region, has led to the forced eviction of the indigenous Huwaitat tribe. Since 2020, approximately 20,000 tribe members have faced displacement without adequate consultation or compensation. Those who resisted were met with intimidation, arrests, and even lethal force. Notably, tribal activist Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti was killed by security forces after publicly opposing the evictions. Subsequently, at least 47 members of the Huwaitat tribe were arrested or detained for resisting eviction, with some sentenced to lengthy prison terms or even death under broad counter-terrorism laws.
Further reports indicate that compensation offered to displaced residents was inconsistent and often insufficient. Some individuals were coerced into accepting financial incentives, while others faced public service cuts, such as electricity and water, to pressure them into leaving. The Saudi government’s actions have drawn criticism from human rights organizations and UN experts, who argue that the evictions violate international laws, including the right to adequate housing and protection against forced displacement without free, prior, and informed consent .
In the lead-up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar undertook extensive infrastructure projects, including the construction of stadiums and accommodations. To make way for these developments, authorities emptied apartment blocks housing thousands of foreign workers, primarily from Asia and Africa, in central Doha. These evictions were carried out with little notice, leaving many workers homeless and without alternative accommodations. Human rights organizations have condemned these actions as violations of the right to adequate housing and protection against forced eviction.
Despite promises of labor reforms, including the introduction of a minimum wage and the dismantling of the kafala system, enforcement remains inconsistent. Migrant workers continue to face exploitation, wage theft, and poor living conditions, exacerbated by sudden evictions and lack of legal recourse.
The United Arab Emirates has also seen instances of forced evictions linked to mega-projects. On Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, developments such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Guggenheim Museum, and New York University campus have led to the displacement of workers and residents. Investigations reveal that migrant workers involved in these projects faced poor living conditions, withheld wages, and threats of deportation. While the UAE government has made efforts to improve labor conditions, challenges persist in ensuring adequate housing and protection against forced eviction for low-income workers.
While mega-projects in the GCC aim to propel economic growth and modernization, they often do so at the expense of human rights. Forced evictions, inadequate compensation, and suppression of dissent are recurring issues that undermine the rights and livelihoods of affected communities. It is imperative for GCC governments to prioritize human rights, ensure transparent and fair resettlement processes, and engage in genuine consultations with impacted populations to mitigate the adverse effects of such developments.