The European Parliament has expressed regret over the deaths of thousands of migrant workers, mainly in the construction sector, who were helping Qatar prepare for the World Cup, as well as all those who were injured, and today adopted a resolution on the human rights situation in the country.
MEPs stressed that the Gulf emirate won the right to "host" the World Cup amid credible allegations of bribery and corruption, according to the European Parliament's official website.
Describing the corruption within the World Football Association (FIFA) as "rampant, systemic and deep-rooted", they also expressed regret that the process of awarding the 2010 World Cup to Qatar was not transparent and underlined how FIFA has seriously damaged the image and integrity of world football.
The Parliament urged EU countries, particularly those with major national football leagues such as Germany, France, Italy and Spain, to put pressure on UEFA and FIFA for fundamental reform of FIFA. This would include the establishment of democratic and transparent procedures when awarding football World Cups and the strict application of human rights and sustainability criteria for host countries.
To protect athletes and fans and put an end to "sports laundering", international sports competitions should not be awarded to countries where fundamental and human rights are violated and where there is systematic gender-based violence.
Continuing, the European Parliament's official website stated that, "as it is estimated that more than 2 million foreign nationals make up about 94% of the country's workforce, the resolution welcomes the fact that, according to the International Labour Organization, the Qatari government has decided on compensation of $320 million to pay victims of abuse through the so-called "Workers' Support and Insurance Fund". However, MEPs regret that many Qatari workers and their families have been excluded and call for the fund to be expanded to include all those affected by the start of work on the World Cup, also covering worker deaths and other human rights violations. They also call on FIFA to contribute to a comprehensive rehabilitation programme for the families of the workers as compensation for the conditions to which they have been subjected."
Recognizing the important contribution of migrant workers to Qatar's economy and the 2022 World Cup, the European Parliament urges the Qatari authorities to conduct full investigations into the deaths of migrant workers in the country and to compensate families in cases where workers have died as a result of working conditions.
MEPs also condemn the attitude of the country's authorities towards the LGBTQ+ community. This includes the use of national laws that allow for the temporary detention of LGBTQ+ people without charge or trial for up to six months. The resolution also urges Qatar to strengthen gender equality measures, including the abolition of the remnants of women's guardianship, while intensifying efforts to increase women's representation in the formal labour market.
Among other things, the resolution states that.
[*]Deplores the lack of transparency that marked the awarding of the World Cup to Qatar in 2010. Condemns the clear lack of responsible risk assessment by FIFA when assessing Qatar's suitability to host a major international sporting event. It underlines that other such events lack transparency and human rights standards, particularly in the case of the 2014 Winter Olympics held in Sochi, Russia. Recalls its long-standing view that corruption within FIFA is rampant, systemic and deep-rooted and continues to believe that the organisation has seriously damaged the image and integrity of world football.
[*]Calls on the EU and its Member States to inform Parliament on a regular basis about Qatar's social reforms, with particular attention to the specific implementation of its legislation, including by European companies in Qatar. Regrets that many companies, including European companies, have failed to comply with their obligations regarding responsible business conduct. Reiterates its call on Qatar to ratify the UN International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.
[*] Stresses that victims of human rights violations have legal channels to seek justice and seek accountability from EU-based companies, in accordance with existing due diligence legislation in some Member States. Welcomes the ongoing work at EU level on the Due Diligence Directive on corporate sustainability which will further expand these legal avenues.
[*]Urges Qatar, the world's richest country per capita, to provide for retroactive compensation for the families of the thousands of victims who died in the workplace or as a result of conditions there. Urges Qatar to undertake a thorough review of data collection and investigation standards in order to increase transparency and accountability in cases of work-related injuries and deaths, in coordination with international organisations such as the ILO and the ITUC.
[*]Condemns in the strongest possible terms the statements made by Qatar's ambassador to the World Cup and veteran footballer, Khalid Salman, and notes and welcomes the official statements by Qatar's political leadership that "all are welcome" to attend, including LGBTQ+ persons, and calls on Qatar to ensure respect for the human rights of all persons attending the 2022 World Cup, as well as the human rights of its local community during and after the sporting events. Urges the Qatari authorities to stop the harassment and intimidation of LGBTQ+ people and to prohibit any imposition of so-called conversion therapy.
[*]Urges FIFA to comply with its constitution and obligations under the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and to stop interfering in the decision-making of football federations on human rights issues.
[*]Urges Qatar to abolish the guardianship of women as a fundamentally flawed system that harms the country's development.
[/LIST]
Source: Cyprus Times
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source
