Human Rights Watch’s recent call for the investigation and regulation of sovereign wealth funds linked to human rights abuses, with a particular focus on Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), has thrust the issue of ethical investment into the spotlight. The appeal was made during a testimony before the US Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, drawing attention to the PIF’s substantial holdings in the United States and its concerning implications for human rights. This article explores the implications of this call and underscores the importance of transparency, accountability, and responsible investment practices on a global scale.
Under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, the PIF has come under scrutiny for its involvement in grave human rights abuses. One glaring example is its role in the 2017 “anti-corruption” crackdown, which resulted in arbitrary detentions, abusive treatment, and the extortion of property from government officials, prominent businessmen, and even members of the royal family. Furthermore, the PIF has been linked to the heinous 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. These allegations raise significant concerns about the fund’s ethical standing and its implications for the international community.
The association between the PIF and human rights abuses has far-reaching implications, especially for US businesses that engage with the fund. As the PIF expands its investments across vital sectors of the US economy, including technology, sports, entertainment, and finance, there is a growing fear of complicity in these abuses. Companies must conduct rigorous due diligence to ensure that their partnerships and investments do not inadvertently support human rights violations.
One of the critical issues surrounding the PIF is the lack of transparency and accountability within the fund. Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman holds significant control over the PIF, one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds, and decision-making within the fund remains opaque. This opacity complicates efforts to ensure that funds are not misused or directed toward human rights abuses.
Human Rights Watch has attempted to engage with the PIF’s governor, Yasir al-Rumayyan, regarding allegations of human rights violations associated with the fund. However, these efforts have been met with silence. Additionally, the transfer of about 20 companies into the fund during the 2017 crackdown raises concerns about the fund’s involvement in asset seizures, a process marked by a lack of transparency and oversight.
Saudi Arabia has sought to rehabilitate its global image in recent years, hosting or sponsoring major sporting events as part of its Vision 2030 initiative. The PIF has played a significant role in these efforts, raising concerns about potential pressure on athletes, sponsors, and media to remain silent on Saudi Arabia’s human rights abuses. The recent merger of the Professional Golf Association (PGA) and LIV Golf, owned by the PIF, highlights the need for ethical considerations in professional sports.
Human Rights Watch’s call for the investigation and regulation of sovereign wealth funds, particularly those implicated in human rights abuses, underscores the importance of upholding ethical standards in international investments. The lack of transparency, accountability, and responsiveness to allegations of abuse raises serious concerns. The US Congress and the Biden administration must take these concerns seriously and work to ensure that economic partnerships do not result in complicity in human rights violations. Responsible investment practices are not only a matter of financial responsibility but also a fundamental commitment to human rights and global ethical standards.
