GENEVA — On Tuesday, Qatar received accolades from the United Nations’ leading human rights council for enhancing its labor regulations in preparation for the 2022 World Cup, although it was still advised to fully abolish its controversial employment system for migrant workers.
This marked Qatar’s return to the Human Rights Council in Geneva for its five-year review, the first since the soccer tournament that necessitated an influx of foreign laborers to construct stadiums and complete other vital developments.
As FIFA prepares to announce Saudi Arabia as the host for the 2034 World Cup in December, the region is bracing for another decade where human rights practices will be under scrutiny while teams expand their participation across additional venues.
In recent years, Qatar has implemented improved labor law protections, including establishing a minimum wage, allowing workers the freedom to change employers, and addressing issues related to forced labor and trafficking, as noted by Qatar’s senior diplomat in Geneva.
Hend Abdulrahman Al Muftah, Qatar’s permanent representative to the UN in Geneva, acknowledged the significant contributions of migrant workers, referring to them as “true partners” in the nation’s development efforts.
During the session, French delegate Claire Thuaudet urged Qatar to continue the full implementation of labor laws connected to the World Cup. Meanwhile, Sierra Leone called for the country to eliminate all aspects of its kafala labor system.
The Netherlands representative praised Qatar for its significant legislative reforms regarding labor for migrants but emphasized the need for more efficacious enforcement and adherence to these laws.
Additionally, the country faced recommendations from Brazil, Ireland, Italy, and New Zealand to abolish the death penalty, while Brazil, Mexico, and Spain sought the decriminalization of consensual same-sex relationships.
Addressing potential criticisms regarding women’s rights in Qatar, Al Muftah highlighted the increase in women holding diplomatic roles, rising from just three to 120 in recent years.
Sweden called on Qatar to reassess its laws pertaining to women’s rights concerning divorce, child custody, and inheritance, while Iceland advocated for the elimination of the male guardianship system, pushing for abortion decriminalization and ensuring access to reproductive health services independent of a male guardian or marriage certificate.
Qatar’s delegation cited its improvement in press freedom, moving from beyond the top 100 to a current ranking of No. 84 on the global index. The top-ranked nation, Norway, urged Qatar to allow civil society, human rights advocates, and journalists to operate without the fear of retaliation.
Expectations are high for Qatar as it is likely to bid for the 2036 Summer Olympics. The session concluded with Nasser Ali Al-Khater from Qatar’s sports ministry stating that sports serve as a vital platform for fostering cooperation among nations.
“This was accomplished during the World Cup,” he remarked. “Qatar will maintain its commitment to the realm of sports and empowerment.”