Anthony Joshua has been told he is being tricked by authorities in Saudi Arabia by Amnesty International ahead of his upcoming fight against Andy Ruiz Jr.
The British heavyweight and his promoter Eddie Hearn have been criticised for holding the rematch in a country which has a questionable human rights record.
The duo have insisted that the country is improving and reforming for the better, but speaking to the Guardian Amnesty International UK's head of campaigns Felix Jakens said the situation is actually getting worse.
"Despite the hype over supposed reforms, Saudi Arabia is actually in the midst of a sweeping human rights crackdown, with women’s rights activists, lawyers and members of the Shia minority community being targeted,” he said.
“Civil society has also been silenced in Saudi Arabia. Anyone critical of the regime has been exiled, arrested, or threatened. There isn’t any semblance of free speech or the right to protest.”
Recently Joshua said he has seen "phenomenal" improvements in the country, and insisted he and his side were doing the right thing by engaging with the regime.
But Jakens believes the 29-year-old should go further by showing his support for activists.
"This was never about asking Anthony Joshua to be some kind of human rights superhero," he continued. "It is simply a request that he use his incredibly high profile to speak out about human rights in Saudi Arabia.
“People do listen to him. If, for example, Joshua were to say something about the outrageous jailing of the Saudi women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul, this could provide an important reminder to the authorities that her plight is not going to be overlooked around the world.”
The fight is set to take place on 7 December, with Joshua looking to get revenge after his extraordinary defeat to Ruiz in Los Angeles in June last year.
