Alicia Keys and Pharrell Williams put on blast by human rights campaigner for upcoming Grand Prix performances in Saudi Arabia

A human rights campaigner has put Alicia Keys and Pharrell Williams on blast ahead of scheduled appearances in Saudi Arabia.

The music icons will both be performing at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this Saturday in Jeddah.

Alicia, 43, is also hosting Women To Women, an initiative honoring International Women's Day, set to take place today in Jeddah.

But the artists have come under fire by human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell given controversial women's rights issues in Saudi Arabia. 

'Alicia Keys and Pharrell Williams should not be performing in Saudi Arabia. It's a dictatorship that persecutes women, LGBTs and religious and ethnic minorities,' he told The Sun.

A human rights campaigner has put Alicia Keys and Pharrell Williams on blast ahead of scheduled appearances in Saudi Arabia; pictured 2019

'Women are in jail because of the country’s sexist laws. The regime murdered and dismembered the journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

'It is total hypocrisy for Saudi Arabia to host Alicia Keys for an International Women's Day event when the regime jails advocates for women's equality. I'm shocked that Alicia Keys is colluding with this whitewashing of Saudi misogyny.'

'No artists should be going to Saudi unless they speak out publicly to demand women’s freedom and an end to other human rights abuses in the country, including the freeing of all political prisoners,' he continued.'

In addition to Alicia and Pharrell, Martin Garrix will also be headlining the Formula 1 concert. 

International Women's Day is celebrated this year on March 8, the same day as Alicia's summit.

It is the third edition of her Women To Women summit, which is supported by her husband Swizz Beatz's Good Intentions creative agency in addition to entertainment company MDLBEAST.

The event, as described in a press release, will see Alicia and guests discuss 'how women are pushing the culture forward in Saudi Arabia and around the world,' according to Revolt.

Alicia, 43, is also hosting Women To Women, an initiative honoring International Women's Day, set to take place today in Jeddah; pictured during the Super Bowl halftime show last month 

The music icons will both be performing at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this Saturday in Jeddah; Williams pictured in 2010

Alicia said: 'I am thrilled to be back on stage, this time in Jeddah, performing in a place I have never performed in before, and in a way I never have in this region.

'I’m also so inspired to connect in a meaningful way with the amazing women there to discuss cultural, creative and boundary-pushing narratives we are collectively and individually leading. In light of International Women’s Day, it’s the perfect time to discuss important issues affecting us.'

Alicia marked International Women's Day on Instagram with a heart-felt video message on Instagram.

'Sending big love and in recognition of International Women's Day, which, let's get this right, it is definitely not a day,' she said. 'This is everyday, we as women are so powerful, we are so unstoppable, we are so, so special, incredible, we are the fabric of all things, and so just a reminder to not forget how incredible you are, how your thoughts, your ideas, your visions for yourself, they deserve to be recognized, they deserve to come to fruition.

Alicia marked International Women's Day on Instagram with a heart-felt video message on Instagram.

'I want you to remove any ideas in your mind that you are not going to create the destiny that you believe in for yourself. I want you to remove that from your vocabulary, the word "not" or "can't" or "won't", let's get rid of that.

'Let's think about our ancestors, think about all the women that came before us, how incredible they are, all the moves, and what they stood for, and stood behind, and how they created us.

'And we are here to do everything we can possibly dream up and most importantly, we are here to spread that love energy and to let people know that no matter who you are or where you're from, you are special, you are important, you deserve to be respected. So walk with that queen! Sending big love.'