FIFA Ethics and Regulations Watch (FERW) hailed the measures taken by Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup.
It also praised the significant improvements in workers' rights and the legislative and legal measures, stressing that these are in the interest of preserving the workers' dignity.
FERW confirmed that Qatar presents a role model in dealing with the hosting file.
It indicated that its observations on the ground proved the falseness of the allegations circulated by some foreign media, pointing out that the Qatari model is a guide for all countries.
FERW issued its report on this file after its recent visit to Doha.
Alistair Thompson, FERW president, and Robert Oulds, Director of the Bruges Group and a FERW manager, spoke at a press conference.
FERW had paid a three-day visit to Qatar at the invitation of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), where the organisation held meetings with officials from NHRC, the Ministry of Labour, and the ILO office in Doha.
It also conducted interviews with workers and field visits to the residences of workers in the 2022 World Cup projects.
During the conference, the two speakers praised the openness and transparency that the FERW delegation saw from the officials and those in charge of the bid to host the 2022 World Cup, indicating that their observations on the ground exceeded expectations.
The speakers denounced the prejudiced press reports issued by some Western media against the hosting bid, stressing that these reports indicated exaggerations in the number of deaths among workers in World Cup projects during the past 10 years.
They underlined that these exaggerations contradict reality and are a falsification of facts.
They explained that these deaths are not related to the World Cup infrastructure projects, but rather the total deaths of workers during that period.
They pointed out that the real number of deaths did not exceed three workers, a much lower number than other countries' infrastructure projects to host major tournaments.
Moreover, they expressed their fascination with what they witnessed on the ground, praising Qatar's modern medical facilities and the measures taken by the State to ensure the well-being of those working in the World Cup projects.
Thompson praised the co-operation and openness he witnessed during his visit to find out the measures Qatar took to host the World Cup.
He said that his meetings with officials from the Ministry of Labour, the ILO office in Doha, and NHRC highlighted accurately the facts and actions taken on the ground, indicating that this was reflected in the report.
He said that the report's goal is to clarify the facts from a neutral academic point of view.
He pointed out that there are disturbing rumours issued by some Western media, stressing that this has been proven false on the ground.
He referred to the ILO praise of Qatar's measures to improve the workers' conditions and ensure that they obtain their rights.
He pointed out that FERW obtained accurate information from the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC). In this context, he said that SC provided FERW with the requested information, which were true and accurate.
He explained that SC invited external auditors to review the numbers and information.
The FERW president praised the model stadiums built by Qatar according to safe and sound foundations, stressing that several issues were not properly reported by some authorities.
He underscored that Qatar is positively addressing all matters, pointing out that there is interest in workers and the labour market is very open, which is what drives economic growth so FERW will convey this message to the world.
He stressed that what Qatar has done to ensure the success of the hosting bid will be an example to be followed, adding that the standards established by Qatar will be useful to the countries that will host the tournament in the future.
Thompson talked about his field visit to the Workers' City and praised what he saw on the ground, indicating that more than 70,000 workers are enjoying wonderful living conditions, pointing to the entertainment facilities in the Workers' City and the outdoor spaces to exercise.
The UK doesn't have such facilities for workers, he said.
Director of the Bruges Group Robert Oulds expressed admiration for the progress witnessed by Qatar and the openness of the labour market, pointing out that Qatar has given the world an example to follow and has achieved what astounds people abroad.
Oulds referred to the positive reports that praise Qatar's procedures for hosting the tournament and indicated that the organisation had undertaken research and audit to clarify the truth, by conducting interviews with those responsible for this file and through opinion polls for infrastructure workers associated with projects hosting the World Cup or those who had previously worked there.
He added that FERW has looked at the legislation and the amendments made to it, and the impact of the changes and improvements have had on the ground, pointing out that FERW found that the situation is better than what was stated in the positive reports issued in this regard.
He stressed that the Qatari model is one of the most beautiful success stories that should be told to people around the world.
He said that there are some issues and aspects that should be dealt with effectively, pointing out that the Qatari side is determined to make the necessary correction to any matter.
Oulds expressed the organisation's conviction of its results on the ground, praising workers' conditions and what Qatar has done for Afghan refugees.
Unfortunately, the world does not know what Qatar is doing and what is happening on the ground, he explained.
He noted that sport should change the world for the better, which will support the economy and enhance human rights, adding that Qatar has shown its desire to change without being forced by any party.
Oulds spoke about FIFA's standards and interest in human rights and its aspiration for the positive impact that Qatar's hosting of the tournament will have and indicated that Qatar is doing this positively according to strict practices and methodology, stressing the independence of the organisation and that its goal is to convey the truth to the world.
The 2022 World Cup will leave a great legacy in terms of human rights and what has been established in this field, and FERW has made some recommendations for other sports bodies to take into consideration, and it is necessary to review the experience of Qatar and adopt the high standards that it has applied, he added.
He pointed out that what Qatar has provided for this hosting qualifies it to embody a role model to avoid any abuse of workers' rights, and praised Qatar's openness to positive criticism and its introduction of the required changes and improvements.
The 2022 World Cup will represent an opportunity to celebrate sports, indicating that it is shameful to spread lies about this file, he added.
Oulds praised the Qatar National Vision 2030, explaining that it is ambitious and unique.
He noted the great progress that Qatar has witnessed since winning the 2022 bid in 2010, stressing in this context that Qatar was able, during the years that followed that winning, to make significant improvements in the conditions of workers, the health system, the establishment of suitable housing for workers and the creation of adequate living conditions.
He underlined that the workers' conditions in Qatar are much better than those in other countries carrying out infrastructure projects.
FERW is an independent body that monitors and reports on ethical standards and implements corruption-free sports, focusing on football and its main governing body, FIFA.
It also praised the significant improvements in workers' rights and the legislative and legal measures, stressing that these are in the interest of preserving the workers' dignity.
FERW confirmed that Qatar presents a role model in dealing with the hosting file.
It indicated that its observations on the ground proved the falseness of the allegations circulated by some foreign media, pointing out that the Qatari model is a guide for all countries.
FERW issued its report on this file after its recent visit to Doha.
Alistair Thompson, FERW president, and Robert Oulds, Director of the Bruges Group and a FERW manager, spoke at a press conference.
FERW had paid a three-day visit to Qatar at the invitation of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), where the organisation held meetings with officials from NHRC, the Ministry of Labour, and the ILO office in Doha.
It also conducted interviews with workers and field visits to the residences of workers in the 2022 World Cup projects.
During the conference, the two speakers praised the openness and transparency that the FERW delegation saw from the officials and those in charge of the bid to host the 2022 World Cup, indicating that their observations on the ground exceeded expectations.
The speakers denounced the prejudiced press reports issued by some Western media against the hosting bid, stressing that these reports indicated exaggerations in the number of deaths among workers in World Cup projects during the past 10 years.
They underlined that these exaggerations contradict reality and are a falsification of facts.
They explained that these deaths are not related to the World Cup infrastructure projects, but rather the total deaths of workers during that period.
They pointed out that the real number of deaths did not exceed three workers, a much lower number than other countries' infrastructure projects to host major tournaments.
Moreover, they expressed their fascination with what they witnessed on the ground, praising Qatar's modern medical facilities and the measures taken by the State to ensure the well-being of those working in the World Cup projects.
Thompson praised the co-operation and openness he witnessed during his visit to find out the measures Qatar took to host the World Cup.
He said that his meetings with officials from the Ministry of Labour, the ILO office in Doha, and NHRC highlighted accurately the facts and actions taken on the ground, indicating that this was reflected in the report.
He said that the report's goal is to clarify the facts from a neutral academic point of view.
He pointed out that there are disturbing rumours issued by some Western media, stressing that this has been proven false on the ground.
He referred to the ILO praise of Qatar's measures to improve the workers' conditions and ensure that they obtain their rights.
He pointed out that FERW obtained accurate information from the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC). In this context, he said that SC provided FERW with the requested information, which were true and accurate.
He explained that SC invited external auditors to review the numbers and information.
The FERW president praised the model stadiums built by Qatar according to safe and sound foundations, stressing that several issues were not properly reported by some authorities.
He underscored that Qatar is positively addressing all matters, pointing out that there is interest in workers and the labour market is very open, which is what drives economic growth so FERW will convey this message to the world.
He stressed that what Qatar has done to ensure the success of the hosting bid will be an example to be followed, adding that the standards established by Qatar will be useful to the countries that will host the tournament in the future.
Thompson talked about his field visit to the Workers' City and praised what he saw on the ground, indicating that more than 70,000 workers are enjoying wonderful living conditions, pointing to the entertainment facilities in the Workers' City and the outdoor spaces to exercise.
The UK doesn't have such facilities for workers, he said.
Director of the Bruges Group Robert Oulds expressed admiration for the progress witnessed by Qatar and the openness of the labour market, pointing out that Qatar has given the world an example to follow and has achieved what astounds people abroad.
Oulds referred to the positive reports that praise Qatar's procedures for hosting the tournament and indicated that the organisation had undertaken research and audit to clarify the truth, by conducting interviews with those responsible for this file and through opinion polls for infrastructure workers associated with projects hosting the World Cup or those who had previously worked there.
He added that FERW has looked at the legislation and the amendments made to it, and the impact of the changes and improvements have had on the ground, pointing out that FERW found that the situation is better than what was stated in the positive reports issued in this regard.
He stressed that the Qatari model is one of the most beautiful success stories that should be told to people around the world.
He said that there are some issues and aspects that should be dealt with effectively, pointing out that the Qatari side is determined to make the necessary correction to any matter.
Oulds expressed the organisation's conviction of its results on the ground, praising workers' conditions and what Qatar has done for Afghan refugees.
Unfortunately, the world does not know what Qatar is doing and what is happening on the ground, he explained.
He noted that sport should change the world for the better, which will support the economy and enhance human rights, adding that Qatar has shown its desire to change without being forced by any party.
Oulds spoke about FIFA's standards and interest in human rights and its aspiration for the positive impact that Qatar's hosting of the tournament will have and indicated that Qatar is doing this positively according to strict practices and methodology, stressing the independence of the organisation and that its goal is to convey the truth to the world.
The 2022 World Cup will leave a great legacy in terms of human rights and what has been established in this field, and FERW has made some recommendations for other sports bodies to take into consideration, and it is necessary to review the experience of Qatar and adopt the high standards that it has applied, he added.
He pointed out that what Qatar has provided for this hosting qualifies it to embody a role model to avoid any abuse of workers' rights, and praised Qatar's openness to positive criticism and its introduction of the required changes and improvements.
The 2022 World Cup will represent an opportunity to celebrate sports, indicating that it is shameful to spread lies about this file, he added.
Oulds praised the Qatar National Vision 2030, explaining that it is ambitious and unique.
He noted the great progress that Qatar has witnessed since winning the 2022 bid in 2010, stressing in this context that Qatar was able, during the years that followed that winning, to make significant improvements in the conditions of workers, the health system, the establishment of suitable housing for workers and the creation of adequate living conditions.
He underlined that the workers' conditions in Qatar are much better than those in other countries carrying out infrastructure projects.
FERW is an independent body that monitors and reports on ethical standards and implements corruption-free sports, focusing on football and its main governing body, FIFA.
