DOHA, Qatar –
Qatar’s ruling emir on Tuesday lashed out at criticism of his nation over its internet hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, describing it as an “unprecedented marketing campaign” focusing on the primary Arab nation to carry the match.
Since successful internet hosting rights for the World Cup over a decade in the past, Qatar has confronted scrutiny and criticism for its remedy of migrant employees and the homosexual neighborhood, amongst different points.
The alleged abuses affecting legions of low-paid labourers who energy Qatar’s economic system and who constructed its gleaming World Cup stadiums have been a lighting rod for protest world wide, particularly in Europe.
Qatar has repeatedly pushed again, insisting the nation has improved protections for migrant employees and claiming the criticism is outdated.
In a televised speech earlier than the emirate’s legislative physique on Tuesday, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani mentioned Qatar “has been subjected to an unprecedented marketing campaign that no host nation has ever confronted.”
“The marketing campaign tends to proceed and increase to incorporate fabrications and double requirements that had been so ferocious that it has sadly prompted many individuals to query the true causes and motives,” he mentioned.
Rights teams have credited Qatar with bettering its labor legal guidelines, corresponding to by adopting a minimal month-to-month wage of round US$275 a month in 2020, and for dismantling the “kafala” system that had prevented employees from altering jobs or leaving the nation with out the consent of their employers. However, activists name for extra to be carried out.
In latest months stress has additionally mounted on Qatar over its criminalization of homosexuality. Qatari regulation requires a jail sentence of one to a few years for adults convicted of consensual homosexual or lesbian intercourse. European soccer federations final month introduced their intention for captains to put on an armband with a rainbow coronary heart design as half of an anti-discrimination marketing campaign throughout worldwide matches.
In his speech, Sheikh Tamim promised the obtrusive highlight of the world’s greatest sporting occasion would additionally profit Qatar.
“This is a superb take a look at for a rustic the dimensions of Qatar that impresses the entire world with what it has already achieved and is attaining,” he mentioned.
The match begins on Nov. 20 and the ultimate is about for Dec. 18.