Germany’s Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has finally decided to attend her country’s first World Cup soccer match in Qatar after receiving assurances about the host country’s respect for human rights.
Faeser, whose portfolio also includes the functions of Sport, has indicated this Tuesday in the framework of a visit to Doha, capital of Qatar, that she will finally attend the soccer match of the German national team against Japan, scheduled for November 23.
According to the Interior Minister, the Qatari Prime Minister, Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa Al Thani, has guaranteed security for German fans, especially those of the LGBT community, according to sources in the German delegation.
Faeser has stressed his determination to make sure that «all Germans who come here for the World Cup, no matter where they come from, no matter who or what they believe in, or no matter who they love, are also safe in Qatar.»
With less than a month to go before the sporting event kicks off, Qatar is facing a lot of criticism over working conditions, especially for those employed in the construction of the stadiums, as well as the criminalization and persecution of homosexuality.
In fact, the Qatari emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, has gone so far as to speak of an «unprecedented campaign» against a nation hosting the soccer event.
Faeser’s remarks last week sparked controversy in Qatar, as the interior minister questioned the Middle Eastern country’s designation as World Cup host. For Berlin, respect for human rights and sexual orientation should be a fundamental criterion for the award.
In response, Qatar denounced the remarks as a violation of «diplomatic norms and conventions» and sent a formal note of complaint to the German ambassador in Doha.
