The deaths of thousands of migrant workers cast a shadow over the soccer World Cup that will soon begin in Qatar. The British newspaper The Guardian published a harsh report last year (you will switch to another service)according to which more than 6,500 workers have lost their lives in construction projects related to the Games between 2010 and 2020.
Hundreds of thousands of migrant workers from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, the Philippines and various African countries have been building the framework for the football celebration. Too many of them have paid with their lives or health to be able to enjoy football entertainment in Qatar.
President of the international football association Fifa Gianni Infantino has expressed the wish that the focus would now be on football regardless of everything.
– Fifa President Infantino’s statement is mainly a joke and shows that his head has not been turned. If Fifa had done its job properly, it would have ensured that the games would not involve human rights violations, needless deaths and the suffering of thousands of people, the executive director of Amnesty Finland’s department Frank Johansson says.
Watch ambassador Pekka Voutilainen’s comments in the video below
Ambassador of Finland to Qatar Pekka Voutilainen points out that the number of people killed in construction work has been exaggerated.
– The reported numbers are probably not correct. According to the office of the International Labor Organization (ILO), the number of 6,500 dead that was also displayed in Finland is not the number of those who died in construction work, but the deaths of all foreigners who have occurred for any reason, Voutilainen estimates.
Johansson disputes Voutilainen’s assessments.
– Our information and reported problems are correct, no matter what the ambassador says. It is clear that it is really difficult to talk about death rates. Qatari authorities are not conducting proper investigations into the cause of death. That’s why no one knows whether a death is due to natural causes or, for example, heat or overexertion, Johansson describes.
Conflicting perceptions
According to Ambassador Voutilainen, Qatar has made significant reforms to its legislation.
– The situation is substantially better than five or ten years ago. Currently, Qatar pays 200,000 local rials, or about 60,000 euros, to those who died in work accidents, Voutilainen says.
Amnesty’s Johansson is confused by this comment.
– I am now hearing for the first time that 60,000 euros would be paid for deaths. I’ve never heard of anything like this, although I’ve been following the situation closely for the last few years, Johansson wonders.
Johansson points out that actually all big sporting events involve human rights and environmental problems. In the Qatar Games, there are perhaps more such problems than in any previous value games.
Amnesty’s Frank Johansson visited the Sports Screen
The Minister of Labor knocked out the compensation fund
Amnesty and other international human rights organizations have started a campaign demanding that Qatar and Fifa pay compensation to those injured and killed in Qatar’s World Cup projects, as well as their families.
Qatar’s labor minister has shot down the idea of such a compensation fund.
– However, the Labor Minister’s statement perhaps left the door open, because he said he was ready to continue discussions. The discussion will continue in a positive direction only if the International Football Association insists on it, Johansson emphasizes.
Deep-rooted problems are difficult to eradicate, although the legal changes made in Qatar are cautious steps towards betterment.
– On paper, more progress has been made than probably in any of the neighboring countries with similar legislation. But the problem is that practically no one follows the laws. The authorities do not enforce the laws, and therefore individual companies and employers get away with them because there is no fear of sanctions, says Johansson.
“Qatar is not perfect”
Qatar’s Minister of Labor has stated that objective criticism is always appropriate.
– Nobody is perfect, Qatar is not perfect. If criticizing, it’s good to stick to the facts and not criticize based on images, Ambassador Voutilainen states.
Voutilainen expects that various anti-Qatar sentiments may be seen during the World Cup.
– The Emir of Qatar has welcomed everyone, regardless of gender or other identity. The instruction is to be understanding towards fans and the use of alcohol and sexual minorities. Of course, Qatar is basically a conservative Muslim country, there are probably locals who don’t have enough understanding of all things that are normal in Western countries, Voutilainen believes.
Qatar has received strong criticism, especially from European countries.
– Qataris feel that they have also been criticized unfairly. Qatar feels that they have not received any credit despite making changes to their policies and legislation. Without the World Cup, the situation would not be as good as it is at the moment, Voutilainen emphasizes.
The Aurora future event organized by gathers experts to talk about solutions to the big questions of our time. The debate on human rights in sports will take place on Friday 18 November. at 15:00. https://areena.EPN.fi/1-63620825