While defending his decision to perform at the controversial, state-sponsored Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia, Aziz Ansari said he planned to donate “part of the fee” to “causes that support free press and human rights,” listing Reporters Without Borders and Human Rights Watch , which has long been critical of the comedy festival and the Saudi regime.

But in a statement to Variety , a spokesperson for Human Rights Watch said the organization “cannot accept” donations from Ansari and other comedians who have “generously offered to donate part of their performance fees.” (Jessica Kirson said “I deeply regret” performing at Riyadh Comedy Festival and committed to donating the entirety of her fee to an undisclosed human rights organization.)

“But while we cannot accept, it i

See Full Page