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Report

5 Jun 2024

Author:
By Amnesty International (UK)

Saudi Arabia: Amnesty Intl. report outlines key human rights risks linked to 2030 & 2034 FIFA World Cups; incl. cos comments

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…This report brings together analysis from human rights organizations, trade unions and fans’ representatives – including from members of the Sport and Rights Alliance – as well as UN experts, treaty monitoring bodies, government data and media reports. It aims to highlight key risks connected to the hosting of the two World Cups that must be addressed if FIFA and bidding countries are to prevent human rights violations during their preparation and delivery….

All bidding countries face risks relating to labour rights, which should be addressed through revising legislation, ensuring compliance with international labour standards and ensuring structured social dialogue with independent trade unions…

In 2018, an evaluation of Morocco’s bid to host the 2026 World Cup highlighted that the criminalization of same-sex acts was “particularly problematic”…

With a greater likelihood of large-scale infrastructure projects, the risks of forced evictions may be highest in Morocco where UN experts have previously criticized such violations. The threat of a large influx of visitors also risks exacerbating the severe shortages in affordable housing in Portugal and Spain…

Summaries of these findings were sent for comment to national authorities and football governing bodies in Morocco, Portugal, Spain and Saudi Arabia. All responses will be made available online. A summary of findings was also sent to FIFA with a request to further share them with the teams conducting the independent human rights assessments…

[Amnesty International wrote to FIFA as well as the Football Associations (FAs) and national authorities of Morocco, Portugal, Spain and Saudi Arabia. Only the Portuguese FA responded, acknowledging the letter and committing to meet in the future.]