The FIFA World Cup from November 20 to December 18, 2022, will be played following years of serious migrant labor and human rights abuses in Qatar,
Human Rights Watch said today, publishing a “Reporters’ Guide” to support journalists covering the Qatar World Cup.
The 42-page guide, “Qatar: FIFA World Cup 2022 – Human Rights Guide for Reporters,” summarizes Human Rights Watch’s concerns associated with Qatar’s preparations for and hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and outlines broader problems with protecting human rights in the country.
The guide also describes FIFA’s human rights policies and how the global football governing body can more effectively address serious violations in Qatar and mitigate harm.
“The World Cup draws immense international media and fan attention, but the tournament’s dark side is overshadowing football,” said Minky Worden,
director of global initiatives at Human Rights Watch. “The 2022 World Cup’s legacy will depend on whether Qatar remedies with FIFA the deaths and other abuses of migrant workers who built the tournament,
carries out recent labor reforms, and protects human rights for all in Qatar – not just for visiting fans and footballers.”
Over 1.2 million international visitors are expected to visit Qatar to watch the 32-team tournament, along with many government and global football leaders.
Thousands of journalists will cover the once-every-four-years’ event, and billions of fans will watch on television. FIFA’s partners and corporate sponsors will benefit financially and widely promote it.