Fifa establishes human rights panel in response to criticism

has alarmed human rights and labour organisations.

Fifa said the new panel would meet for the first time on Monday, “providing Fifa with advice on all issues that the board members may consider relevant for the implementation of Fifa’s human rights responsibilities”.

Issues on which the panel could provide advice include labour standards, health and safety, property rights, security, discrimination and freedom of expression.

“It is the first advisory board of its kind for any sports federation, and we look forward to the pioneering work we will jointly undertake,” Fifa secretary-general Fatma Samoura said in a statement.

The panel will include representatives from Fifa sponsors adidas and Coca-Cola, corrup- tion watchdog Transparency International, the UN and the worldwide professional players’ organisation, FIFPro.

“Football has a huge global following, cutting across all social boundaries,” said panel member Lene Wendland, UN advisor on business and human rights.

“There is therefore huge potential for Fifa to play a dynamic role in standing up for human rights.”

Amnesty I nter national reported an increase in police harassment of informal traders, homeless South Africans, and refugees and migrants living in shelters or innercity areas before the 2010 tournament.

Meanwhile, human rights groups have condemned the detention of protesters, including lawyers and professors, in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo during the 2014 tournament, and evictions of slum residents related to building work in the run-up.

Russia, the host of next year’s World Cup, has been frequently criticised for its record on racism in football and its treatment of minorities and gay people.

Qatar has faced criticism of its treatment of foreign workers from Amnesty International, the Building and Wood Workers’ International organisation and others.

The Qatari gover nment introduced a new law in December which it said would re place the controversial kafala or sponsorship system that forces foreign workers to seek their employer’s consent to change jobs or leave the country. – Reuters