Qatar faces an “unprecedented campaign” of criticism as it prepares for the World Cup, which is set to start in 26 days, Emir Tamim bin Hamad al Thani said on Tuesday.
The conservative and energy-rich country has spent millions of dollars to host the first World Cup in an Arab country, but has been criticized for human rights.
In an unusual public expression of irritation, Emir Tamim bin Hamad al Thani said Qatar is the victim of “inventions and double standards”, implying that there are ulterior motives behind the criticism.
“Since we won the honor of hosting the World Cup, Qatar has been subjected to an unprecedented campaign that no host country has ever experienced,” the emir said in a speech.
FIFA decided in 2010, after a controversial selection process, that the 2022 World Cup would be held in Qatar. Since then, the country has faced various criticisms for its treatment of migrant workers and the situation of women’s rights and the LGBTQ+ community.
This week, the government reacted outraged to a report by the NGO Human Rights Watch accusing police of arbitrarily detaining and committing members of the LGBTQ+ community just days before the World Cup.
“Initially, we saw this issue in good faith and we even believed that some of the criticism could be positive and helpful, helping us to work on aspects that need to be developed,” the emir told the Qatar Legislative Council.
“But it soon became clear to us that the campaign continues, grows and involves inventions and double standards, until it reaches a level of brutality that has sadly left many questioning the real motives behind this campaign,” he added.
“A great trial”
The 2022 World Cup is expected to draw more than a million foreign fans to the small peninsula, which has fewer than three million inhabitants.
“The event is an opportunity to show who we are, not only as an economy and institutions, but also as the identity of our civilization,” the emir said.
“It’s a great test for a country as big as Qatar that is impressing the whole world with what it has achieved,” he said.
Homosexuality is considered a crime in Qatar and critics say women’s rights are limited by male guardianship laws.
The Arab country is also accused of allegations over the working conditions of the migrants who built the infrastructure that made Qatar’s economic miracle possible.
Foreigners represent more than 2.5 million of the population of 2.9 million inhabitants.
Conditions at construction companies were condemned by international unions, who criticized safety standards and long working hours at high temperatures.
Groups such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International are pushing that Qatar and FIFA should do more to compensate the families of workers who died or were injured in the projects. That is to say, the organizations want FIFA to pay compensation of about 445 million euros, equal to the price that the world champion team receives.
However, the same union leaders who criticized the government also recognize the reforms that have been implemented.
After a visit this week, Luca Visentini, secretary-general of the European Trade Union Confederation, told AFP that more progress needs to be made, but that Qatar should be considered “a success story”.
“The World Cup was without a doubt an opportunity to accelerate change and these reforms could set a good example for application in other countries where major sporting events take place,” he added.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino defended Qatar, saying this 2022 World Cup will be “the best ever”.
Source: DN
