Panellists at the first Qatar National Human Rights Forum stressed the role of sports in promoting the region, tolerance, camaraderie, and inclusivity and fundamentally promoting human rights.
The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) kicked off the forum yesterday under the theme, “The role of law enforcement in protecting human rights during the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.”
While discussing the importance of sports under the topic, “Qatar 2022: A regional approach in light of national and international interest in sports,” the panel said. Qatar's hosting of the World Cup has also positively affected the region and cemented its soft power. The group consists of the Director of Legal Affairs NHRC, Nasser Marzouq Al Marri, Adviser to the Office of the Minister of Sports and Youth Dr. Mohammed Ismail Al Ansari and the Human Rights Officer at the UN Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and the Arab Region Ishraq bin Al Zain.
During the panel discussion, Al Marri said human rights in sports are inclusive–building values of competition and tolerance values, fundamentally promoting human rights. He added that the NHRC is confident that mega-events can help raise awareness about human rights and encourage tolerance across the board.
He stressed that the Committee’s work would extend beyond the World Cup and assured partnership with stakeholders like the Ministry Of Sports And Youth, Qatar Olympic Committee and the Supreme Committee to implement the vision.
He added that the NHRC’s role is to monitor the implementation of these policies to protect human rights, especially during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
He noted that the NHRC would carry out awareness on implementing policies and build multifaceted relations with stakeholders to consolidate human rights.
He said the NHRC would capitalise on the World Cup momentum and integrate human rights into schools' sports curricula, empower people with special needs on their rights to sports and invest in and utilise the lessons of the World Cup in all aspects as a legacy and a source of inspiration.
On the other hand, Al Ansari said Qatar had the opportunity to provide a model for the region and show that the Middle East and Arab world can host a tournament such as the World Cup. He stressed that the surrounding countries have also benefited from the World Cup.
He said the World Cup has pushed development and infrastructure for sport and has boosted Qatar’s growth.
Many countries look to Qatar as a role model. He noted that sports could change perceptions of culture and religions worldwide, citing the impact of Egyptian star Mohamed Salah, who has since positively impacted the perceptions of Muslims among football fans in the West.
Meanwhile, Al Zain highlighted international charters and UN resolutions affirming sports as an implicit and explicit human right.
