With just over 10 weeks until the long-awaited Soccer World Cup kicks off, millions of fans heading to the tournament face significant human rights risks.
This is because co-hosts, the United States (US), faces what is described as a “human rights emergency,” driven by mass deportations, aggressive immigration enforcement and restrictions on protests.
Leaving fans with uncertainty and a lot of questions regarding the safe, free and inclusive event originally promised by International Federation of Association Football
(FIFA).
According to Amnesty International, more than 500 000 people were deported from the US last year and that has torn the communities apart.
This could spill into World Cup celebrations.
The group has asked FIFA for guarantees that immigration enforcement would not take place around stadiums, fan zones, watch parties or other World Cup-related events.
Amnesty is also calling for lifting of travel bans on fans from countries like Senegal, Ivory Coast, Haiti and Iran, and says the safety of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer
fans must be guaranteed.
–SABC–
