December 16 – With the treatment of migrant workers in Qatar under continuing scrutiny in the build-up to the 2022 World Cup, FIFA has appointed a United Nations official to develop a global human rights strategy for the organisation going forward.
Harvard professor John Ruggie, the United Nations Secretary-General’s special representative for business and human rights, has been commissioned to produce an independent review of how well FIFA’s operations measure up to international human rights standards.
It will be the subject of a report released publicly in March.
Ruggie will apparently have access to FIFA documents and personnel to develop the report and deliver his conclusions just weeks after FIFA is due to elect a new president.
“FIFA’s global reach means that this initiative has the potential to make a difference where it matters most: in the daily lives of people,” said Ruggie.
How far his recommendations will be implemented remains to be seen, given FIFA’s patchy history in acting on task forces and surveys, but Ruggie highlights the opportunity for FIFA to take a lead in the area.
“As with any such process, I fully recognise that there will be challenges and complex change takes time,” said Ruggie. “However, this has the potential to set the bar for other global sports organisations, and place respect for human rights front and centre for a broad range of entities involved in global sporting events.”
Respect for human rights must be a core principal for FIFA and the review is part of the organisation’s “ongoing reform process,” acting FIFA President Issa Hayatou said.
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