Media Wire Express Correspondent
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and the Rights Alliance (SRA), are calling on the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to temporarily halt its decision to select Saudi Arabia as the host of the 2034 World Cup.
The appeal, reported by German news network DW on Monday, November 11, 2024, stems from concerns about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and the potential for abuses if it becomes the tournament’s host country.
Amnesty International and SRA assert that FIFA should postpone the voting process until Saudi Arabia can demonstrate a clear commitment to human rights reforms.
These organizations are pressing for measurable progress, emphasizing the importance of reforms in areas such as freedom of expression, women’s rights, and workers’ protections.
The vote, currently scheduled for December, would otherwise proceed before Saudi Arabia addresses these critical issues, they argue.
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The organizations’ stance is based on a detailed review of human rights proposals from the countries bidding for the tournament.
According to Amnesty and SRA, the review concluded that none of the proposals adequately detailed measures to align with FIFA’s required human rights standards.
Their recent report highlights specific shortcomings, noting that Saudi Arabia’s proposal lacks a comprehensive plan to protect labor rights and ensure freedom of expression and association—key concerns given the country’s strict policies.
The potential for human rights violations in Saudi Arabia, if it hosts the World Cup, is high, these organizations warn.
They argue that labor abuses and limitations on free speech could escalate under the global spotlight. Given that major sporting events often draw international scrutiny, Amnesty and SRA believe that FIFA has a responsibility to consider the social impact of its choices.
FIFA has yet to respond publicly to the calls from Amnesty International and SRA.
However, these appeals add to growing international scrutiny around Saudi Arabia’s sports initiatives, as the country seeks to position itself as a central hub for global sports events while facing pressure to align with international human rights standards.
