Hearn says it is a chance to bring about change, and offers as a sign of progress, the fact that female referees will be used.
“We are all aware of the situation, but sport knows no boundaries in our view and we are there to spread the gospel of sport, and in this case the gospel of snooker,” the 71-year-old said.
“There are probably half a dozen countries in the world that have human rights issues. Whether you consider that to be a transitional stage of a country’s development or whether you say ‘I am not having anything to do with them’ – I would rather communicate, have conversations and try to move forward.
“Sport can be a conduit for achieving that, given time. But it does take time.
“The fact we are using women referees is a major step forward.
“I am impressed with the attitude of the Saudi government and their investment in sport because they are making a push to make their younger people more active and that can only be beneficial. Sport is an issue that moulds countries together. It forms character in young people. It gives expression and an opportunity to those that may not have it. There is a bigger picture.
“It’s important to realise that every country has their own culture. There will be countries where we don’t agree with their culture and there will be countries that don’t agree with ours.
“So rather than get it over-complicated, I find it is easier for me to concentrate on what I am good at, which is the development of sporting opportunities. And perhaps, part of the by-product of the success of that venture will be a general change that makes everyone feel more comfortable.”
Felix Jakens, Amnesty International UK’s head of campaigns, said the glamour and prestige of sport was being used as “a public relations tool to distract from the darker realities” of life in Saudi Arabia.
“We’re not telling snooker players whether they should or shouldn’t go to Riyadh,” he added. “But they certainly need to be aware of how this tournament fits with Saudi Arabia’s recent drive to ‘sportswash’ their abysmal human rights record.
“We’d ask all those involved in the tournament to properly familiarise themselves with the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia and be prepared to speak out about it.”