Outrage has erupted over Saudi Arabia’s selection as the host for the 2034 World Cup, highlighting the nation’s severe human rights abuses, including daily executions and the mistreatment of migrant workers. Human rights lawyer Taha al-Haji warns that the event could be used to mask these violations. Despite the Crown Prince’s Vision 2030 reforms, critics argue that true freedom remains elusive. Additionally, FIFA’s lack of attention to human rights issues during the bidding process raises concerns about future improvements.
The World Cup 2034 Award Sparks Outrage Over Human Rights Violations in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has once again secured the hosting rights for the World Cup, but this decision has ignited widespread criticism due to the country’s notorious record on minority rights and human rights abuses. With executions occurring daily and the exploitation of migrant workers rampant, many question the implications of this prestigious event.
Taha al-Haji, a human rights lawyer currently living in exile in Germany, expresses the enthusiasm of Saudi youth for football, but warns against using the World Cup as a smokescreen for the grave human rights violations within the nation. “The hosting of the World Cup in Saudi Arabia must not be used to obscure human rights violations and polish the country’s image,” he insists.
Al-Haji, who is particularly alarmed by the staggering number of executions, notes, “Saudi Arabia is breaking all records this year. So far, 340 people have been executed, including 117 foreigners and three women.” This figure is echoed by news reports from the Saudi Interior Ministry, while Amnesty International cites a lower number of 200 executions in 2024, yet emphasizes the alarming lack of fair trials and the coercion of confessions.
Continued Repression Amidst Global Attention
According to al-Haji, Saudi Arabia’s investment in sports and entertainment, including the World Cup, serves primarily to improve its global image while obscuring ongoing human rights abuses. “Saudi Arabia is pouring vast resources into attracting sports figures and celebrities to showcase a narrative of openness and reform. However, the reality is starkly different, with continued repression and human rights violations,” he explains.
Hammad al-Balawi, who played a key role in Saudi Arabia’s World Cup bid, acknowledges the criticism but invites skeptics to visit the country and witness the changes firsthand. In an interview, he asserts, “Critics can visit us, check their stance against facts, and talk to Saudis. They would discover that Saudi Arabia is changing.”
Is Change on the Horizon with the Crown Prince?
The young Crown Prince, Mohammad bin Salman (MbS), has proposed significant changes through his Vision 2030 initiative, including easing restrictions on women regarding the veil, welcoming foreign tourists, and hosting various cultural events. However, critics like Katja Müller-Fahlbusch from Amnesty International argue that these changes do not equate to greater freedom. “The glittering facade that Muhammad bin Salman likes to present does not reflect the reality of human rights in Saudi Arabia. We have documented a significant deterioration in the human rights situation since MbS assumed power,” she states.
The implications of this situation extend to freedom of expression, assembly rights, and the treatment of guest workers, who often endure excessively long hours, with their wages either withheld or stolen. In preparation for the World Cup, Saudi Arabia has constructed or refurbished eight massive stadiums—far more than what was required for the previous World Cup in Qatar.
FIFA’s Indifference to Human Rights Concerns
Müller-Fahlbusch expresses skepticism about the potential for improvement in the human rights landscape by 2034, noting that during the World Cup bidding process, human rights considerations were largely overlooked. “There are no strategies or guarantees in the bid to enhance the human rights situation in the country. Saudi Arabia did not include this, and FIFA did not inquire either. It’s fair to say that FIFA has been relatively indifferent,” she remarks.
As the countdown to 2034 begins, the world’s eyes will remain focused on Saudi Arabia. The recent experience of Qatar, which faced pressure to reform its treatment of migrant workers ahead of the 2022 World Cup, raises the question of whether similar changes will occur in Saudi Arabia. Only time will tell.
This report was originally published by tagesschau on December 11, 2024, at 5:00 PM.