The European Parliament accuses FIFA of “seriously undermining the image and integrity of world football”. And it is asking Qatar to respect human rights and a “thorough investigation” into the deaths of migrant workers in the country for the construction of infrastructure competition, which according to some journalistic accounts has reached 6,500 people.
The European Parliament resolution was approved on Thursday, after French MEP Manon Aubry (France Insoumise / left) put to the vote, “stressing that the EU is ready to support human rights issues in its relations with Qatar, including the issues raised. in the context of the FIFA World Cup; Expresses concern that hundreds of thousands of migrant workers continue to face discriminatory laws and practices in Qatar; Deplores the lack of transparency and risk assessment that characterized the awarding of the World Cup to Qatar in 2010; Recalls his view that corruption within FIFA is pervasive, systemic and deep, and continues to believe that the organization has seriously damaged the image and integrity of world football, despite efforts to reform it, such as introducing human rights requirements.
The approved text, agreed by popular, liberal, socialist and ultra-conservative groups, “recognizes the significant contribution of migrant workers to the Qatari economy and the 2022 World Cup; calls on the Qatari authorities to conduct a full investigation into the deaths of the migrant workers; Supports Qatar’s efforts to improve their labor conditions and rights, which have been put forward by the international community; demands the full implementation of the adopted reforms; welcomes Qatar’s cooperation with the ILO; calls on Qatar to continue working with the ILO on reforms; Underlines that corporate responsibility, even for European companies, requires respect for workers’ rights and the same level of diligence required in the EU.”
The petition also alleges that “FIFA awarded the World Cup to Qatar without due consideration of human rights or the environment or the imposition of conditions to protect migrant workers” and that Qatar “won the World Cup bidding process amid credible allegations of bribery and corruption that have led to judicial investigations.”
Also, MEPs highlight that Qatar’s penal code “punishes extramarital sexual relations, including same-sex relations, with up to seven years in prison”, includes “arbitrary arrests of LGBT+ people, without charge or trial at most. Within six months, if “there are probable grounds to believe that the accused may have committed a crime”, including “violating public morals”, noting that a World Cup ambassador “publicly shared a homophobic statement”; Highlighting that “seven football federations, including the European one, have decided that their players can wear the OneLove rainbow armband; However, FIFA has decided that players can receive a yellow card or dismissal for wearing this armband, as it is an alleged political statement.
However, the resolution also highlights Qatar, which recognizes “that Qatar is an important partner of the European Union” and “that Qatar has a crucial role to play in the implementation of Europe’s energy security strategy.”
“The commitment between the EU and Qatar has significantly strengthened, leading to the opening of an EU delegation in Doha in 2022,” the resolution said, also recalling that Qatar “co-sponsored the UN General Assembly Resolution Conference in February 2022. Calls on Russia to withdraw from Ukraine and to support resolutions condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.”
According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), several European companies, such as Carrefour, Banyan Tree, Fairmont Movenpick Pullman, Acciona, Qantum, Keolis, RATP and Technip, which have a physical presence in Qatar, have refused to participate in joint committees. Bring together management and labor representatives to discuss, prevent, and resolve workplace conflicts. In addition, it is reported that the Dutch company Core Laboratories is not paying salaries to some employees.
Source: El Diario
