FIFA World Cup: Qatar face more human rights scrutiny as Sajjan returns – National

International Development Minister Harjit Sajan has faced criticism from the opposition for failing to make a public statement on human rights during his visit to Qatar for the World Cup.

NDP foreign affairs analyst Heather McPherson said, “You have no moral authority if you do not raise human rights issues when you are in a country where you know human rights abuses are taking place.

Sajjan represented the Trudeau government at the World Cup, marking the first time in years that the Canadian men’s team had entered the competition. He met with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and local officials.

However, Sahjan’s social media posts make no reference to the host country’s documented abuse of migrant workers or the emirate’s anti-LGBTQ policies.

These concerns have led some broadcasters and players to wear armbands that read “One Love”. The German team covered their mouths when official photos were taken.

Sajjan’s office said he could not be reached for comment on Thursday because he was due to return to Canada.

Labor Minister Seamus Oregan, who is gay, said he felt divided by Qatar’s hosting.

“To be honest, it’s very contradictory. I’m rooting for my team. I’m rooting for my country. I have to say it’s a bit difficult,” he said.

Oregan said he could not speak for Sajan, but said the government had expressed concerns about Qatar before the Games began.

“We know exactly where we stand. We have clearly voiced our displeasure,” he said.

The Democratic Party for the People had called for a diplomatic boycott of the convention.

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“This speaks to both sides of your mouth against this government,” McPherson said.

“This government has shown once again that they don’t care much about human rights.”

On Monday, parliamentarians passed a unanimous motion condemning FIFA for threatening to punish players for wearing the ‘One Love’ armband. “International sports governing bodies have a moral obligation to support players and fans by highlighting their fight for equality against homophobia, transphobia and all forms of discrimination in sport,” the motion said. ” he claimed.

The captains of several European countries have scrapped plans to wear ‘One Love’ armbands after FIFA, the governing body of football, warned them they would face on-field sanctions.

According to media reports from Qatar, some fans wearing rainbow-colored costumes were denied entry to the stadium.

Earlier this month, Amnesty International accused Soccer Canada of “deafening silence” against thousands of workers, mostly from South Asia, Southeast Asia and Africa.

Football Canada released a statement last month in support of ongoing reforms, but avoided criticizing the emirate.

Amnesty International noted that peer federations from the UK, US, France and the Netherlands all supported calls for compensation funds for migrant workers who were abused during the preparations for the Olympics in Qatar.

The Conservative Party has not directly commented on Sajjan’s actions. He said he wanted a country with a good reputation to host the World Cup.

“Conservatives condemn in the strongest terms all human rights violations around the world and stand ready to work with democratic allies to uphold human rights,” Chong said in a statement.

Bloc Quebecois echoed the NDP’s call for a diplomatic boycott and lamented Sajjan’s attendance in Qatar. “Canada has no excuse to turn a blind eye to human rights abuses,” MP Martin Champoux tweeted in French on Monday.

During the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Liberal Party called on the Harper administration to raise human rights issues in China.

© 2022 The Canadian Press