Original Source: www.amnesty.org.uk
FIFA’s evaluation of Saudi Arabia’s bid for the 2034 Men’s World Cup raised eyebrows globally, assigning the country a mere ‘medium’ risk rating for human rights. Despite mounting evidence highlighted by Amnesty International, including alarming neglect of workers’ rights and repression of activists, FIFA’s assessment appeared to gloss over these concerns, creating an impression of a shocking whitewash of the nation’s human rights abuses.
Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International’s Head of Labour Rights and Sport, described FIFA’s report as incomprehensible and troubling. He emphasized the lack of substantial commitments to ensure the protection of workers and residents in Saudi Arabia, suggesting that FIFA’s indifference could lead to serious violations during the World Cup buildup, echoing the exploitation trends found in Qatar’s 2022 World Cup preparations.
In a further twist, FIFA recently published a long-delayed independent report regarding migrant workers affected by the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The report underlined FIFA’s responsibility to ensure compensations, serving as a powerful validation for voices from human rights organizations and trade unions advocating for the rights of the affected workers. Yet, despite these findings, FIFA announced a Legacy Fund without dedicated remedies for the harmed workers, raising questions about the sincerity of its commitment to human rights.
Many organizations, including Amnesty, have campaigned vigorously for FIFA to acknowledge its responsibility and provide compensation to workers exploited under the shadow of the Qatar World Cup. While FIFA commissioned an independent report to assess its obligations, its late publication has left many skeptics unconvinced about the integrity of FIFA’s approach to human rights, fearing that without real intervention, history may tragically repeat itself at the 2034 World Cup.
The controversy surrounding FIFA’s handling of human rights concerns has reached a fever pitch as the organization prepares for the 2034 Men’s World Cup bid by Saudi Arabia. Previous tournaments have faced criticism for labor abuses and suppression of dissent, particularly highlighted during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Human rights organizations have voiced strong opposition to FIFA’s ratings and evaluations, emphasizing the need for accountability and real reform in host countries like Saudi Arabia.
In summation, FIFA’s endorsement of Saudi Arabia’s World Cup bid amidst grave human rights concerns has sparked outrage, with critics asserting that the evaluation serves only as a façade. Without urgent reforms and genuine commitments from Saudi Arabia, the upcoming World Cup risks repeating the mistakes of its predecessor in Qatar. The safety and dignity of workers should ring louder than the celebratory echoes of the stadiums to come, as history awaits to see if FIFA will act responsibly or repeat its past failures.
