Status: 10/30/2022 6:21 p.m
The Human Rights Commissioner Amtsberg has canceled her participation in a trip to Qatar with Interior Minister Faeser. Open and critical discussions on site are currently difficult. Faeser had previously criticized the award of the World Cup.
The Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights, Luise Amtsberg, has decided not to travel with Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) to Qatar on Monday, as originally planned. The latest developments have made it clear how difficult it is in the run-up to the World Cup to talk to the Qatari government about the human rights situation in the country, Amtsberg explained. So she decided to do the trip at a later date.
Faeser had previously provoked outraged reactions from the emirate and other Gulf monarchies with criticism of the World Cup organizers. The Federal Minister of the Interior, who is also responsible for sports, had the ARD magazine monitor with a view to the World Cup host country and the human rights situation there: “For us as the federal government, this is a very difficult award.” It would be better “that this is not awarded in such states,” she added.
On Friday – in Qatar it was already the weekend – According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Doha, the emirate had summoned the German ambassador. Shortly thereafter, in a joint statement, the Gulf monarchies dismissed Faeser’s comments as “interference in Qatar’s internal affairs”.
Amtsberg justifies the waiver with the discussion environment
Amtsberg said: “The developments this weekend have made it clear to me how difficult it is in the current situation in the run-up to the soccer World Cup to have the open and critical talks I planned about the human rights situation in Qatar with the Qatari government.”
However, as a human rights officer, this environment for discussions is crucial for her. “Recognizing Qatar’s growing role as a regional and global player, international pressure and our efforts to protect human rights remain central after the World Cup,” the government official added.
The Ministry of the Interior is sticking to the previous travel plans
This did not make the already complicated journey of Federal Minister of the Interior Faeser and DFB President Bernd Neuendorf any easier. However, the plans for meetings with Prime Minister Sheikh Chalid bin Chalifa Al Thani and FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Tuesday are being adhered to. This was confirmed by the Federal Ministry of the Interior.
Faeser and Neuendorf had clearly positioned themselves when announcing the trip: Human rights and the living conditions of foreign workers should be discussed – those topics that are on the agenda in Germany shortly before the final round (November 20th to December 18th) kicks off.
In the course of the energy crisis, the federal government also created new connections to Doha. Before Faeser, Economics Minister Robert Habeck and Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz were in the emirate. It was only marginally about human rights.
Tweet by ex-Foreign Minister Gabriel causes criticism
Shortly before the World Cup, the hosts react increasingly thin-skinned – and more offensive. Head of state Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani recently spoke of an “unprecedented campaign” that “no host country has ever experienced”.
Former Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel (SPD) caused criticism and excitement in Germany with a pro-Qatar tweet. In it he criticized the “German arrogance” towards the emirate. “It also took us decades to become a liberal country,” wrote Gabriel. Progress does not come overnight, but step by step.
“We all know that the World Cup doesn’t belong in Qatar”
The DFB has clearly divided in this area of conflict. Neuendorf will also act as the head of the delegation on political issues during the World Cup, national coach Hansi Flick and his national team will concentrate primarily on the sporting performance.
But the professionals are no longer apolitical. “We all know that the World Cup doesn’t belong in Qatar. We also know that the World Cup doesn’t belong in winter, but in summer,” said defender Nico Schlotterbeck ZDF sports studio. “When the World Cup was awarded to Qatar, I was very young, I had no influence on anything, of course it’s a dilemma.”
Human rights violations are regularly denounced
The World Cup host is regularly criticized for human rights violations. The main focus is on the situation of construction workers, most of whom come from South Asia. Human rights organizations have been dealing with the problem, which is virulent in all Arab Gulf states, for years.
In addition to construction workers, women domestic workers are particularly often forced into exploitative employment relationships. The government in Doha refers to numerous reforms and criticizes the critics.
Neuendorf calls for compensation funds for workers
FIFA President Infantino has meanwhile moved into a second home in Qatar – also as a sign of what he says is a close connection to the Arab world. The outcome of Faeser and Neuendorf’s talks with the FIFA President will be exciting. Neuendorf had asked the world association to set up a compensation fund for foreign workers, but the discussion is still sluggish.
Team sports are not very common in the Arab country. Women from different countries in the region are taking part in a DFB project for female soccer players that the German delegation plans to visit on Tuesday. It is still unclear whether and which member of the federal government will possibly sit in the stands in Qatar during the World Cup.