A recent High Court notice to the Saudi Arabian embassy over delays in repatriating a youth’s mortal remains has intensified scrutiny of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record as it prepares to host the FIFA World Cup 2034. The incident underscores concerns about transparency, treatment of foreign nationals, and compliance with global sports-governance standards, raising questions about the ethical hosting of mega-events in the Gulf kingdom.
High Court Notice Sparks Human Rights Debate
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court issued a notice to the Saudi Arabian embassy following a protracted delay in repatriating the mortal remains of a young man who died in Saudi Arabia, according to a report by Greater Kashmir journalist Sajad Gul. The youth’s family has been awaiting the return of his body for weeks, with the court demanding an explanation from Saudi authorities for the bureaucratic hold-up.
This case has drawn attention to the broader challenges faced by migrant workers and foreign nationals in Saudi Arabia, particularly during times of crisis. Human rights advocates argue that such delays are symptomatic of systemic failures in consular services and transparency, which are essential for safeguarding the rights of vulnerable individuals far from home.
Global Standards for World Cup Hosts
International sports governing bodies, including FIFA, have established stringent requirements for host nations regarding human rights, transparency, labor rights, and press freedom. FIFA’s own Human Rights Policy, adopted in 2017, obligates host countries to ensure that their preparations and hosting of the World Cup do not result in human rights violations.
Transparency is a cornerstone of FIFA’s governance framework, requiring host nations to provide timely and accurate information about incidents involving foreign nationals and workers. Labor rights, particularly for migrant workers who form the backbone of construction projects for mega-events, are also a key concern. FIFA has repeatedly called on host countries to guarantee fair working conditions, safe living environments, and access to justice for all workers.
Press freedom is another non-negotiable standard, allowing journalists and civil society groups to report on developments without fear of censorship or retaliation. These requirements are designed to prevent the use of major sporting events for “sportswashing”—the practice of leveraging global attention to deflect from or cover up human rights abuses.
Governance and Rights Issues in Mega-Event Hosting
The delay in repatriating the youth’s remains raises several governance and rights issues relevant to mega-event hosting. The lack of timely communication and bureaucratic delays undermine the principles of transparency and accountability that FIFA expects from host nations.
Moreover, the incident highlights the vulnerability of migrant workers and foreign nationals in Saudi Arabia, who often face challenges in accessing consular support and legal remedies. Human rights organizations have repeatedly documented cases of labor exploitation, forced evictions, and inadequate medical care for workers involved in World Cup-related construction projects.
The treatment of foreign nationals during crises also reflects on a country’s commitment to upholding international human rights standards. Delays in repatriation can cause emotional distress for families and raise questions about the adequacy of support systems for those affected by tragedies abroad.
Alignment with FIFA’s Expectations
The developments in this case are at odds with FIFA’s expectations for host nations. FIFA’s Human Rights Policy explicitly calls for the protection of all individuals involved in World Cup preparations, including foreign workers and their families. The policy requires host countries to ensure that their actions do not result in human rights violations and to provide effective remedies when such violations occur.
Transparency and timely communication are essential for maintaining public trust and ensuring that incidents are addressed promptly. Delays in repatriating mortal remains, as seen in this case, can erode confidence in a host country’s ability to manage crises and uphold the dignity of affected individuals.
Labor rights are another area of concern. FIFA expects host nations to guarantee fair working conditions and access to justice for all workers, particularly migrant workers who are often at risk of exploitation. The lack of timely consular support and bureaucratic delays can exacerbate the vulnerabilities of these workers, undermining the principles of fair labor practices.
Legitimate Concerns for International Stakeholders
The incident raises legitimate concerns for international stakeholders, including fans, civil society groups, and human rights organizations. The treatment of foreign nationals during crises is a litmus test for a country’s commitment to human rights and ethical hosting. Delays in repatriation can cause emotional distress for families and raise questions about the adequacy of support systems for those affected by tragedies abroad.
Civil society groups have called for greater accountability and transparency in the hosting of mega-events, urging FIFA to enforce its human rights standards more rigorously. The risk of sportswashing—using major sporting events to deflect from or cover up human rights abuses—is a persistent concern, particularly in countries with a history of labor exploitation and inadequate consular support.
Fans and human rights organizations have also highlighted the need for independent monitoring and reporting on human rights developments during World Cup preparations. The lack of timely communication and bureaucratic delays can undermine public trust and raise questions about the integrity of the hosting process.
Broader Global Debates on Accountability and Ethical Hosting
The delay in repatriating the youth’s remains is part of a broader global debate about accountability and ethical hosting of mega-events. Human rights organizations have repeatedly called for greater scrutiny of host countries’ records on labor rights, transparency, and press freedom. The risk of sportswashing—using major sporting events to deflect from or cover up human rights abuses—is a persistent concern, particularly in countries with a history of labor exploitation and inadequate consular support.
Independent monitoring and reporting on human rights developments during World Cup preparations are essential for ensuring accountability and transparency. The lack of timely communication and bureaucratic delays can undermine public trust and raise questions about the integrity of the hosting process.
As Saudi Arabia prepares to host the FIFA World Cup 2034, the international community will be watching closely to see how the kingdom addresses these concerns and upholds its commitments to human rights, transparency, and ethical hosting. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for the credibility of mega-event hosting in the Gulf region.