FIFA and countries bidding to host the 2030 and 2034 World Cups are under scrutiny from human rights organization Amnesty International. Amnesty International has called for binding commitments and legal reforms to prevent human rights violations associated with the tournament. This article will delve into the pressing need for FIFA to address human rights risks and implement rigorous measures to ensure that violations are prevented, mitigated, and remedied.
Amnesty International urges FIFA to ensure a transparent bidding process with meaningful stakeholder participation. This should include independent human rights risk assessments and comprehensive human rights strategies. The organization emphasizes the need for agreements that prevent violations in labor rights, discrimination, housing, freedom of expression, policing, and privacy before approving any bid. Amnesty International stresses that FIFA should refrain from awarding the rights to host the World Cup until these commitments are made, and until it is clear that there will be no human rights violations.
FIFA had initially included human rights standards as part of the bidding requirements for the 2030 and 2034 World Cups. However, Amnesty International expresses concerns that single bids for each tournament may undermine FIFA’s leverage to ensure compliance with human rights standards. The organization points out that accident rates at construction projects in Spain and Portugal exceed EU levels, and discrimination in stadiums in Spain remains an issue. Notably, Amnesty highlights the racism faced by Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. The number of labor inspectors in Morocco and Portugal also falls short of the International Labour Organization (ILO) benchmarks. Amnesty International has shared its report with FIFA and is awaiting a response.
Amnesty International underscores the “different magnitude and severity” of risks associated with hosting the 2034 tournament in Saudi Arabia. The organization questions FIFA’s commitment to its human rights policies in light of the challenges posed by the country. Notably, Amnesty researcher Dana Ahmed highlights the difficulty of conducting research in Saudi Arabia, which limits the understanding of potential human rights abuses. A complaint filed by Building and Wood Workers’ International accuses Saudi Arabia of abusing migrant workers and urges the International Labor Organization to investigate the country for severe human rights violations, including wage theft. The complaint emphasizes exploitative living and working conditions among Saudi Arabia’s migrant workforce, likening them to forced labor.
Amnesty International’s call for binding commitments and legal reforms to prevent human rights violations in FIFA World Cups is a critical one. FIFA must prioritize human rights considerations in the bidding process and ensure that potential hosts adhere to strict standards. The spotlight on countries like Saudi Arabia underscores the need for greater accountability and transparency in FIFA’s decision-making. By addressing these concerns, FIFA can demonstrate its commitment to upholding human rights principles on a global stage.