The conclusion of the World Cup in Qatar has raised concerns among numerous organizations and activists who fear that the well-documented human rights violations in the Persian Gulf nation may lose the public’s attention. Guillermo Whpei, in his role as President of the Foundation for International Democracy, strongly believes that the end of the tournament signifies the commencement of a new advocacy initiative.
Whpei asserts, «The battle begins as soon as the World Cup ends.» He has pledged that the Foundation will actively pursue three primary objectives: exerting pressure on FIFA to adopt a more ethical stance and publicly acknowledge its actions, striving to enhance the working conditions of migrant laborers, and securing financial compensation for the families of the victims.
At the beginning of the World Cup, the Foundation released a study initiated in 2017 that assessed the conditions of these workers. However, the specific strategies to achieve their proposed objectives are not explicitly outlined.
While the International Labor Organization (ILO) collaborated with Qatar in 2014 to implement labor reforms aimed at improving 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 of human rights violations intersecting with football are not uncommon. In 1978, FIFA made the controversial decision to award Argentina the hosting rights for the World Cup during the country’s dictatorship. This World Cup was notably described by Guillermo Whpei as the «bloodiest World Cup,» marred by over 30,000 forced disappearances and incidents of torture. Curiously, the Foundation has refrained from publishing 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 subjected to a boycott, similar actions should be taken against other events. She highlights the West’s double standard in criticizing Qatar while often turning a blind eye to similar issues within their own countries. While acknowledging Qatar’s dismal human rights record, she stresses the importance of not overlooking cases of exploitation and slavery that have occurred in the West, including in southern Spain.
Guillermo Whpei, however, defends the criticism of the World Cup, emphasizing that just because history contains question marks doesn’t mean that present-day issues are justified. It is essential to recognize that the concerns raised by Boukharsa are contemporary and 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 involved in their cultivation. These workers often endure homelessness, receive 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, considers it hypocritical that individuals in the soccer industry suddenly express concern for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, especially given the toxic and heteronormative environment in football.
She also points out the lack of international action against Israel and the fact that Israel has been a member of UEFA in Europe since 1994, despite widespread criticism of its apartheid policies. She questions why Israel continues to host events like Eurovision, a European cultural event, despite its controversial actions.
The Foundation for Democracy, with its post-World Cup goals, does not place the responsibility on football itself. Instead, it lays blame on the politics surrounding football, which it views as tainted, speculative, and self-serving. FIFA’s prioritization of profit over the true spirit of sport and international competition is seen as the root of the problem.
