16 Days Towards The 2022 World Cup: FIFA Writing A Letter To 32 Participants For Redaming Issues Of Human Rights

Illustration of the World Cup (Unsplash)

FIFA President Gianni Infantino wrote to 32 participating countries of the 2022 World Cup to reduce concerns regarding human rights issues (HAM) and the growing criminalization of LGBTQ+ in Qatar.

Apart from Infantino, the letter was also signed by the Secretary-General of FIFA Fatma Samoura. The contents of the letter call for contestant countries to "focus on football" rather than heeding human rights issues and outstanding criminalization.

"Everyone is accepted regardless of origin, background, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or nationality," reads the continuation of the letter as reported by Eurosport, Friday, November 4.

FIFA is currently facing pressure over the decision to hold the 2022 World Cup in Qatar due to human rights issues surrounding migrant workers, discrimination and security concerns that threaten fans of the LGBTQ+ group.

The issue made the call for a boycott of the competition as voiced by the LGBTQ + community. According to them, even though there have been developments, there must be more in-depth reforms regarding the issues above.

Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have also openly criticized FIFA's decision to give this year's edition of the tournament to Qatar. They accuse the country of abusing and exploiting migrant workers.

In addition, Denmark as one of the contestants also highlighted Qatar's human rights violations. The country then poured their criticism through the costumes to be worn for the quadrennial event with a faint design on the logo section.

The sedan as a supplier of Danish costumes deliberately used the design to convey the message that their sportswear brand was "not visible" at an event that "has claimed the lives of thousands of people".

Qatar himself as the organizer has denied with the statement " everyone is welcome" to visit their country to watch football and no one will be discriminated against.

Later, during the World Cup, Harry Kane and nine other team captains from Europe will wear the armband with the OneLove symbol. The symbol of the heart "contains colors that represent all backgrounds".

Last month, 16 Australian national team players also campaigned for equality by releasing a video highlighting Qatar's way of treating migrant workers and LGBTQ+ groups.