3 hours ago
photo released, Getty Images
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Qatar has used expatriate workers to build the stadiums where the World Cup matches will be held
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Activists have criticized the English Football Association for what they described as “the extreme delay” in its statement on human rights in Qatar’s preparations to host the 2022 World Cup.
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On Wednesday, the FA launched an anti-discrimination campaign that includes a “One Love” or “One Love” badge.
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The federation also supported compensation claims for injured expatriate workers and families of the deceased during their use in carrying out construction projects for the World Cup facilities in Qatar 2022.
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But Human Rights Watch questioned the timing of that move.
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WHO spokesperson Rothna Begum said the FA’s statement was “welcome, albeit very late.”
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Begum added: “While there are only a few weeks left for World Cup matches to start, it is necessary for all football associations to put maximum pressure on FIFA and the Qatari authorities to launch a fund to compensate workers in the Cup facilities. of the World for unpaid wages or injuries suffered or to compensate their families in the event of death ”.
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“The FA statement says they have taken time to see what role they need to play, but we and many others have always called on them to strengthen their support for expats,” Begum said.
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Qatar will host the World Cup from November 20 to December 18.
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The FA said that for more than a year it has been engaged in a dialogue on Qatar with human rights organizations, trade unions and NGOs “in an effort to achieve a balanced understanding of major issues in this country and the surrounding region.”
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England captain Harry Kane said he plans to wear the “One Love” crest in European Nations League matches and World Cup matches.
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In the Netherlands, the One Love campaign started before Euro 2020 as a way to promote the meanings of diversity and inclusion and as a message against discrimination.
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The initiative was also supported by Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Wales and Switzerland.
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The number of migrant workers who have been employed in the construction of structures and facilities for the World Cup in Qatar is estimated at around 30,000.
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These facilities included seven stadiums, as well as a new air port, a new subway station, and new roads.
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Amnesty International says hundreds of thousands of migrant workers have suffered rights violations since 2010 as they used them to build World Cup facilities.
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The English Football Association said it was trying to persuade FIFA to launch a center for migrant workers, as well as inviting these workers to the designated venue in the World Cup facilities to train the England team in Al Wakra to meet the players.
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Begum said the One Love badges are an “important symbol of support”.
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But a spokesperson for Human Rights Watch added that “all football federations should ask the Qatari authorities to ensure that no one is discriminated against on the basis of their gender or gender orientation, regardless of whether they are from Qatar or foreign, during or after. the World Cup. ”
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