According to both of them, there are no grounds for not watching the World Cup, because turning a blind eye does not advance the cause and does not improve the position of migrant workers.
22.11. 22:54•Updated 0:04
Tuesday evening’s A-studio discussed the boycott of the soccer World Cup marred by human rights violations. The program saw when the executive director of Amnesty International’s Finnish department Frank Johansson questioned the chairman of the Finnish Football Association Ari Lahten a trip to Qatar.
Lahti already had time to play one round in the Qatar Games. He plans to return to Doha for yet another Games final.
– I’m not sure if you have to go back there for the final. Is it the right image-wise solution for Balloliito or not? Frank Johansson asked.
Lahti was not startled by the question, but appealed to the fact that by participating you can influence things.
– Then we have to ask a much more serious question, whether Finland in general should have an influence in such international organizations.
– I can influence a lot of things. I may not be able to for this race anymore, but I will be able to influence things from then on.
Lahti brought up the fact that next spring there will be elections for the board members of both the European football association UEFA and the International Football Federation Fifa.
No to boycott
Neither of the A-studio guests supports a boycott of watching the Games.
The Swedish Football Association has been discussing the topic since 2015.
– We have stated that by closing our eyes or turning our backs, we will not accomplish anything good in Qatar. We have chosen the path of active influence, Lahti said.
He listed a number of things that have been affected in Qatar: compensation for unpaid wages and injuries, significant relief in working hours, and the abolition of the kafala system in labor laws, which leaves migrant workers in the position of almost slaves.
Amnesty’s Frank Johansson also admitted that progress has been made in the legislation. But after 2017, he thinks things have gone backwards again.
– Nobody cares about them, nobody follows them, they are dead letters.
Also, Johansson still does not encourage football fans to boycott watching TV.
– Whether you watch it or not, it has very little effect on the situation of migrant workers. If my conscience says I don’t want to watch, then don’t watch.
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