Qatar to use FIFA World Cup to promote human rights and sports

QATAR looks forward to seizing the opportunity of hosting the World Cup as a chance to enhance understanding, peace, stability and prosperity in order to make a substantial impact in the field of human rights and sports, said First Secretary of Qatar’s Permanent Mission to the UN Office in eneva Abdulla Hamad Al Nuaimi.

Nuaimi made the remarks during a discussion on enhancing human rights through sports as part of the 47th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

He said that Qatar, in the framework for preparing to host the World Cup 2022 and other major sporting events, adopted a number of legislation to guarantee human rights and the basic rights to work for all workers, including those participating in establishing the sporting infrastructure.

He noted that these steps gained wide-ranging international recognition, particularly from the International Labor Organization (ILO) and International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU).

He added that experience showed that organising major sporting events in different places around the world can be an effective tool in economic development and in raising awareness on the importance of values like respect and social integration of all people based on equality.

Nuaimi stressed that Qatar prioritised hosting major international sporting events due to the impact it can make in that regard, adding that the World Cup 2022 in Qatar will be the first major sporting event held in the region.

He said that Qatar is keen to host Olympic and Paralympic games in 2032, after hosting the 2019 World Athletics Championships and other major international sporting events.

The FIFA World Cup 2022 will be the 22nd edition of the quadrennial international men’s football championship contested by the national teams of FIFA member associations. It will be held in Qatar from November 21 to December 18, 2022. This will be the first time a World Cup has been held in the Arab world.