Al-Sharq Affirms Qatar's Interest in Integrating Concepts of Human Rights in Major Sporting Events

Doha, March 09 (QNA) - In it's editorial on Wednesday, Al-Sharq newspaper stressed that Qatar in all international forums shows a great activity and prominent presence through its participation in activities and official meetings, or through the positive and supportive activities it organizes on the sideline of international events. The newspaper noted, in this regard, the activities of the "Human Rights and Football" exhibition, which was organized over five days by Qatars National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) in cooperation with the permanent delegation to the United Nations at Geneva, on the sideline of 49th session of the Human Rights Council. Al-Sharq explained that the idea behind the activities of the exhibition, which includes paintings expressing human rights in football, in addition to models for the 2022 FIFA World Cup stadiums, came from Qatar's readiness to host the World Cup, as it is an occasion to look at the process of merging human rights concepts with major sport activities. The newspaper said the political will of Qatar and its interest in protecting human rights are behind the huge progress in labor reforms, which brought wide international praise and appreciation, adding that the Special Advisor to the Deputy Director General for Field Operations and Partnerships of the International Labour Organization Giovanni Di Cola ruled out that football is the reason for these reforms, stressing that the progress in Qatar in the reform field doesn't happen often in many countries. Concluding, the newspaper said that the "Human Rights and Football" exhibition is part of the bigger picture of Qatar's active participation and its positive activities in international forums, as Qatar is making the World Cup a major event that forms a prominent milestone in supporting environmental efforts, enhancing friendship and coexistence among people, reflecting culture and heritage of the region and deepening and linking the principles of human rights to sport. (QNA)