The conclusion of the World Cup in Qatar has triggered concerns among a multitude of organizations and activists who worry that the extensively documented human rights violations in the Persian Gulf nation might slip out of the public’s focus. Guillermo Whpei, in his capacity as the President of the Foundation for International Democracy, strongly believes that the end of the tournament signals the initiation of a new advocacy effort.
Whpei affirms, «The fight begins as soon as the World Cup concludes.» He has made a commitment that the Foundation will actively pursue three primary goals: exerting pressure on FIFA to adopt a more ethical stance and publicly acknowledge its actions, striving to improve the working conditions of migrant laborers, and securing financial compensation for the families of the victims.
At the start of the World Cup, the Foundation unveiled a study initiated in 2017 that evaluated the conditions of these workers. However, the specific strategies for achieving their proposed objectives are not explicitly delineated.
While the International Labor Organization (ILO) collaborated with Qatar in 2014 to implement labor reforms aimed at enhancing the working and living conditions of migrant workers, Whpei disputes any substantial progress. He argues, «I do not see any improvements in Qatar; they have essentially altered the terminology. The kafala system is fundamentally flawed. It was modified for cosmetic purposes, but the underlying issues persist. Now, instead of requiring their employer’s permission to leave the country, workers must seek approval from Qatar’s authorities.»
Instances where human rights violations coincide with football are not uncommon. In 1978, FIFA selected Argentina to host the World Cup during the country’s dictatorship. This World Cup was marked by what Guillermo Whpei described as «the bloodiest World Cup,» characterized by over 30,000 forced disappearances and instances of torture. However, the Foundation has not yet published any reports on this matter.
Chaimaa Boukharsa, an activist and philologist specializing in Arab and Islamic studies, argues that if the World Cup in Qatar is boycotted, similar actions should be taken for other events. She highlights the double standard employed by the West in its criticism of Qatar, often failing to acknowledge similar issues within their own countries. While recognizing Qatar’s terrible human rights record, she emphasizes the importance of not overlooking cases of exploitation and slavery that have occurred in the West, even in southern Spain.
Guillermo Whpei, on the other hand, defends the criticism of the World Cup, emphasizing that just because history has question marks doesn’t mean the present is justified. However, the issues raised by Boukharsa are contemporary, not rooted in the distant past.
Boukharsa raises questions about the conditions under which products like strawberries are produced and the inhumane treatment of seasonal workers who are involved in their cultivation. These workers often face homelessness, meager wages, and live in makeshift settlements in rural areas. She also highlights the prevalence of rape and the exploitation of women in these circumstances.
Boukharsa, along with other activists on social networks, deems it hypocritical that individuals in the soccer industry suddenly express concern for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, given the toxic and heteronormative environment in football.
She also points out the lack of action against Israel and the fact that Israel has been a member of UEFA in Europe since 1994, despite being widely criticized for its apartheid policies. She questions why Israel hosts events like Eurovision, a European cultural event, despite its controversial actions.
The Foundation for Democracy, with its post-World Cup goals, doesn’t hold football responsible for these issues. Instead, it places the blame on the politics surrounding football, which it considers dirty, speculative, and self-serving. FIFA’s prioritization of profit over the spirit of sport and international competition is seen as the root of the problem.
