A flawed human rights assessment for Saudi Arabia’s FIFA 2034 World Cup bid by AS&H Clifford Chance has resulted in significant backlash from 11 organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. The report overlooked critical human rights issues and is seen as aligning the firm with the kingdom’s abuses. Calls for a more credible assessment highlight the pressing concerns about Saudi Arabia’s troubling human rights record as it prepares to host the tournament.
The human rights assessment conducted by AS&H Clifford Chance for Saudi Arabia’s FIFA 2034 World Cup bid has come under fire for its lack of depth and accuracy. Published by FIFA, this assessment fails to address serious human rights violations documented by various global organizations, putting the law firm at risk of being associated with potential abuses during the tournament. Eleven human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have raised concerns about the assessment’s comprehensive shortcomings and invited Clifford Chance to publish a more accurate report. They contend that crucial issues related to freedom of expression, LGBTI+ rights, and labor conditions were notably absent from the assessment. The organizations detail how the report selectively omits damaging conclusions from UN bodies and lacks expert input, which undermines its credibility. With Saudi Arabia’s rising oppression of basic freedoms, the assessment has inadvertently facilitated a process deemed essential to woo Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the event. FIFA’s commitment to human rights has been questioned as several abuses occur under the kingdom’s current regime. As AS&H Clifford Chance’s report skirts over significant issues, critics warn that the firm might unwittingly endorse a system looping in human suffering, especially concerning migrant workers and civil rights. Given the precarious state of human rights in Saudi Arabia, the report reflects a severe ineffectiveness in recognizing and addressing relevant risks tied to the 2034 World Cup, further alienating those challenging Saudi Arabia’s human rights record. With multiple trade unions and charities urging a reconsideration, it remains uncertain how FIFA will address the mounting criticisms.
The article discusses the controversial human rights assessment produced by AS&H Clifford Chance with regards to Saudi Arabia’s successful bid to host the FIFA 2034 World Cup. It references various human rights organizations that have condemned the assessment for glossing over serious abuses, claiming that the flawed report may result in the firm being linked to these ongoing violations. This context establishes a pressing need for responsible discourse surrounding human rights, especially in relation to significant global events like the World Cup.
In summation, AS&H Clifford Chance’s human rights assessment for the FIFA World Cup 2034 bid has faced substantial criticism for its superficial overview of Saudi Arabia’s severe human rights issues. This has raised alarm among several organizations regarding the potential implications of endorsing a nation with a troubled human rights record. The call for accountability emphasizes the need for an honest evaluation of circumstances facing Saudi citizens and residents as the World Cup approaches.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
