Human Rights Watch is calling on comedians from the Riyadh Comedy Festival to advocate for the release of Saudi activists. Despite Aziz Ansari's intention to donate part of his earnings to HRW, the organization stated it cannot accept donations from festival performers due to the ongoing human rights issues in Saudi Arabia. This situation highlights the tension between entertainment and activism, emphasizing the need for artists to use their platforms for social justice.

Human Rights Watch has stated it cannot accept donations from Aziz Ansari and other comedians who participated in the Riyadh Comedy Festival, a controversial event backed by the Saudi government. Ansari defended his performance by mentioning plans to donate part of his fee to organizations advocating for free press and human rights. This situation highlights the ongoing tension between artistic expression and human rights issues in Saudi Arabia, raising questions about the implications of such performances in a country with a poor human rights record.