By Andrew Warshaw
November 7 – Ten European countries, including eight at the World Cup, have brushed aside FIFA’s request to shut up and stick to football by demanding “concrete answers” over issues relating to human rights and Qatar’s migrant workers.
Increasingly alarmed about their showpiece tournament being undermined by constant criticism over Qatar’s record, FIFA’s leadership took the unprecedented step last week of pleading with the 32 finalists to put workers’ rights issues to one side and not allow the sport to “dragged into every ideological or political battle that exists.”
But UEFA’s Working Group on Human and Labour Rights has hit back by saying human rights issues cannot be ignored, fuelling the ongoing debate only days before the start of the tournament.
The group, made up of the football associations of England, Wales, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Portugal and Belgium, say they want a definitive response regarding a compensation fund for workers whose families have been killed or injured building World Cup facilities and the concept of a migrant workers centre in Doha.
In a statement the group declared: “We acknowledge, and welcome, as we have done in the past, that significant progress has been made by Qatar, particularly with regards to the rights of migrant workers, with the impact of legislative changes demonstrated in the International Labour Organisation’s recent reports”
“FIFA has repeatedly committed to deliver concrete answers on these issues – the compensation fund for migrant workers, and the concept of a migrant workers centre to be created in Doha – and we will continue to press for these to be delivered.
“We believe in the power of football to make further positive and credible contributions to progressive sustainable change in the world.”
Qatar has been constantly buffeted for its stance human rights, same-sex relationships and treatment of migrant workers, many of whom have lost their lives building World Cup infrastructure. Peaceful protests are to be staged by some teams during the competition which starts on November 20.
Qatar and FIFA have insisted there will be no discrimination among the thousands of World Cup visitors. The UEFA working group partially acknowledged this but said human rights needed to be highlighted.
“We welcome the assurances given by the Qatari Government and by FIFA regarding the safety, security and inclusion of all fans who travel to the World Cup, including LGBTQ+ fans,” their statement said.
“We also recognise that every country has issues and challenges and we agree with FIFA that diversity is a strength.
“However, embracing diversity and tolerance also means supporting human rights. Human rights are universal and they apply everywhere.”
“We will continue to support the momentum for positive, progressive change and continue to advocate for a conclusive outcome and update on the two key outstanding issues we have been discussing with FIFA for a long time.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1715083008labto1715083008ofdlr1715083008owedi1715083008sni@w1715083008ahsra1715083008w.wer1715083008dna1715083008