World Cup 2022: Qatar imposes strict rules on fans

Forced gynecological exams at the airport. This is what Qatar Airways passengers allegedly suffered in October 2020, when they were preparing to take a flight from Doha to Sydney. At the time of the incident, 13 of them, Australians, had already complained. According to AFP, 5 of them went further this month and filed a complaint in Australia against the airline and the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority. They ask for compensation and damages for the trauma suffered and ask through their lawyers that this incident does not happen again. “This group of brave women was forced to take legal action to tell Qatar that what happened was unacceptable and should not be allowed to happen again,” attorney Damian Sturzaker told AFP. Less than a month before the World Cup, women (who will travel to Qatar) have the right to obtain from Qatar the certainty that human rights will be respected. “

“Qatar: do’s and don’ts”

On the subject of respect for human rights, Amnesty International, among others, has already indicated that it is too late: “Wage cuts and delays, passport seizure, work under 40 degrees without hourly limits, threats, insults … Thousands of workers died on construction sites without investigations being carried out”, we can read on the website of the NGO. What will happen to the rights of tourists, and especially women, who come to watch matches in Qatar’s (air-conditioned) stadiums? The document, published by the organizing committee of the World Cup last September 29, and which RMC Sport was able to consult, offers us an overview.

In 16 pages and 6 chapters, the document entitled “Qatar – Do’s and Don’ts 2022”, for “Qatar: Do’s and Don’ts”, lists all the rules that fans must abide by when they come to the Qatar stadium. While all visitors are advised to dress modestly and wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees, it is specified that women must wear long trousers or skirts and long shirts that cover the chest and neck. Sleeveless shirts, short dresses or skirts, short socks, short tops, as well as dresses that are too transparent or “too tight” are strictly prohibited.

Respect the distance between men and women

As for the use of the veil, no obligation to wear one on the hair, except in the mosque, but it is well accepted to wear one “to integrate and respect the local culture and avoid unwanted attention. ” A certain distance must also be respected between men and women, who will also have to queue separately. To this are added, for example, the regulations relating to the consumption of alcohol or even the warning to stare at a Qatari, behavior deemed “rude and inappropriate”. According to the Instagram account of Hugo Décrypte managed by journalist Hugo Travers, the Supreme Committee of Qatar 2022 said it was “surprised and then strongly annoyed” by this document.

Local authorities claim not to have reread it and judge several false information, in particular those concerning “clothing and the length of appropriate fabrics” but without providing more details.