The World Cup isn’t over yet. But revelations about Qatar and European involvement are starting to shake up European politics. At least 16 police operations were carried out by Belgian authorities this weekend, and at least five people were arrested on corruption and money laundering charges.
The suspicion refers to lobbying activities by the Qatari regime within the European Parliament as well as within trade unions and NGOs. Doha has come under harsh criticism due to its human rights situation. But even in places in the West they had voices echoing their arguments.
One of the targets of the operation was Eva Kaili, Greek socialist MP and Vice-President of the European Parliament. In recent months, he has become one of the leading advocates for the human rights situation in Qatar. Before the World Cup, he even classified the country as a hero in defense of fundamental rights.
On November 24, Parliament passed a resolution condemning the deaths of thousands of migrant workers in Qatar, while the vice president took the floor to defend the country’s “historic transformation”. During his trips to the country, he insisted that the Cup made real progress for the human rights situation in Qatar.
The operation also targeted trade unionists and NGOs, as the Qatari government issued a statement on Sunday “categorically rejecting any attempt to link the country to allegations of abuse of power”.
One of those arrested was Luca Visentini, general secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation ITUC. Although dozens of workers’ organizations and even the ILO condemned the situation in Qatar, the ITUC was the only one who remained completely silent on the violations and even praised the regime in the Gulf country.
In fact, the Qatari lobby was involved in an operation to influence the ILO. The Minister of Labor was even elected vice chairman of the party’s board in May 2022. And since 2014, there has been an attack to prevent the country from being the target of scrutiny by the Geneva-based organization.
Another person detained was Francesco Giorgi, the European Parliament’s adviser on Middle East affairs and the founder of an NGO called Fight Impunity.
Pier Antonio Panzeri of the same NGO was a former European parliamentarian and was arrested on Friday, as were his wife and daughter. In the complaint, the police accused him of “politically interfering as members of the European Parliament in the interest of Qatar and Morocco”.
Another detainee was Niccolò Figà-Talamanca, head of the NGO No Peace Without Justice. Its establishment had honorary members such as former French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve and even Federica Mogherini, the former head of EU diplomacy. He resigned from his post on Saturday.
source: Noticias
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.