GENEVA (AP) – A senior United Nations human rights official called Wednesday for a “major rethink” of immigration policy, particularly in the United States. world cup.
Issues related to “racial profiling, surveillance and immigration” were mentioned by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk even before the 39-day tournament involving 48 countries began on Thursday.
iranian team Transferred from a training camp in Arizona to Mexico, some Iranian officials were denied visas to enter the United States. Top African referee from Somalia Images circulated of a Senegalese player being whipped by security guards on the airport tarmac after being refused entry into Miami.
“We witnessed some of the scenes,” Turk told reporters at a briefing at the UN human rights agency’s headquarters.
“We hope that issues around racial profiling, surveillance and immigration will not have the same impact on this World Cup as they have in the past,” the Austrian lawyer said.
The United States hosts most of the 104 games in a joint project with Canada and Mexico, but only the federal agency’s policies under President Donald Trump’s administration have drawn criticism.
“I sincerely hope that there will be a major rethink of how immigration authorities respect human rights and human dignity,” Türk said. “I hope that, especially in the run-up to the World Cup, there will be a rethink of the policies that are unfortunately currently prevalent, especially in the United States.”
Türk said global sport should be “a place where the world comes together in unity and peace.”
“It is clear that the environment in which mega sporting events, including the World Cup, are held needs to provide a dignified and safe environment, not just for the competing teams, but also for their supporters, society as a whole and, frankly, the world,” he said.
Fans from countries such as Morocco and Scotland spent thousands of dollars on flights, hotels and tickets. Most expensive World Cup in historyhave reported that their travel documents were refused or canceled several days before they were scheduled to travel.
FIFA Bidding rules for 2017 Countries hoping to host the World Cup said visa processing “must be applied in a non-discriminatory manner” with the caveat that “national immigration and security standards must not be adversely affected”.
US links referees to terrorist groups
In the case of Somali judge Omar Altan, U.S. officials said he was denied entry because of his “association with a suspected terrorist organization,” without providing details or providing evidence.
FIFA failed to protect referees selected for World Cup duties despite president Gianni Infantino Over the past 18 months, he has developed close relationships with President Trump and other administration officials.
Also available in FIFA consistent with the United Nations Guiding Principles About business and human rights, which the tournament pledged to respect.
Mr. Turk highlighted a broader issue about the treatment of people around the world who move between different countries.
“I also want to see an end to the dehumanization of others, the dehumanization of immigrants, the dehumanization of refugees and asylum seekers.” “No one benefits from a divisive and polarizing narrative.”
___ AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
