FIFA 的人權承諾：能否在沙烏地兌現？

上週國際足球總會（FIFA）正式宣布沙烏地阿拉伯成為 2034 年世界盃的主辦國。這一決定迅速在全球範圍內引發熱議，支持者與批評者雙方意見針鋒相對，展現了世界盃主辦權背後的複雜性與爭議性。

在此次競標過程中，沙烏地阿拉伯是唯一的申辦國。此前，亞洲足協（AFC）明確表示不支持澳洲的競標，使得沙國以壓倒性優勢獲得主辦權。消息公布後，眾多名人及足球運動員向沙烏地阿拉伯足球協會及首相穆罕默德·本·沙爾曼（Mohammed bin Salman）表示祝賀。支持者認為，這是沙烏地阿拉伯推動國內改革及提升國際形象的難得契機，甚至可能促進該國在社會及人權方面的進步。

Last week, the International Football Association (FIFA) officially announced Saudi Arabia as the host country for the 2034 World Cup. This decision quickly triggered heated discussions around the world, with supporters and critics facing tit-for-tat opinions, demonstrating the complexity and controversy behind the right to host the World Cup.

In this bidding process, Saudi Arabia is the only bidder. Previously, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) made it clear that it did not support Australia's bid, allowing Saudi Arabia to win the hosting rights with an overwhelming advantage. After the news was announced, many celebrities and football players congratulated the Saudi Football Association and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. Supporters believe that this is a rare opportunity for Saudi Arabia to promote domestic reforms and improve its international image, and may even promote the country's social and human rights progress.

然而，國際人權組織對這一決定提出強烈批評。人權觀察組織（Human Rights Watch）警告：「2034 年世界盃幾乎可以確定會被持續性的人權侵犯所玷污。」

However, international human rights groups strongly criticized the decision. Human Rights Watch warned: "The 2034 World Cup will almost certainly be tainted by ongoing human rights abuses."

FIFA 的人權承諾是否能落實？

自 2017 年以來，FIFA 一直聲稱透過國際體育盛事的影響力可以推動主辦國改善人權，並將人權原則納入其指導政策。同年，FIFA 簽署了聯合國人權理事會的「Ruggie 原則」，承諾致力於保護及推動人權，並採取措施減少體育賽事可能帶來的負面影響。

根據這些原則，FIFA 承諾利用其影響力推動主辦國改善人權情況，包括促進勞工權益、保障性別平等及保護少數群體。然而，外界普遍對這些承諾的實際效果表示懷疑。

Can FIFA’s human rights commitments be implemented?

Since 2017, FIFA has claimed that the influence of international sports events can push host countries to improve human rights and incorporate human rights principles into its guiding policies. In the same year, FIFA signed the "Ruggie Principles" of the United Nations Human Rights Council, committing itself to protecting and promoting human rights and taking measures to reduce the negative impacts that may be caused by sports events.

In line with these principles, FIFA is committed to using its influence to promote improvements in human rights in host countries, including promoting labor rights, ensuring gender equality and protecting minorities. However, there is widespread skepticism about the actual effectiveness of these promises.

過去的經驗顯示，FIFA 在面對專制政權時，其影響力有限。俄羅斯 2018 年世界盃和卡達 2022 年世界盃均被批評未能促成顯著的人權改善，甚至加劇了當地的人權問題。例如，俄羅斯在世界盃期間對 LGBTQIA+ 群體及記者進行騷擾，而卡達在世界盃籌備期間的大量移工死亡事件至今仍為人詬病。

沙烏地阿拉伯的人權風險評估

針對沙烏地阿拉伯的 2034 年世界盃申辦，FIFA 公布了一份報告，評估了該國在主辦過程中可能面臨的人權風險。報告指出，沙國的人權風險屬於「中等」，但同時認為主辦世界盃可能帶來「積極的人權影響」。

然而，沙烏地阿拉伯在報告中對部分核心人權議題避而不談。該國目前的法律仍將同性戀及跨性別身份視為犯罪，且未承諾保障 LGBTQIA+ 權益。此外，報告對新聞自由及宗教少數群體權利的保障措施也未提出具體承諾，這些都引發外界的強烈質疑。

Past experience shows that FIFA has limited influence when faced with authoritarian regimes. Both the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar were criticized for failing to lead to significant improvements in human rights and even exacerbating local human rights problems. For example, Russia harassed LGBTQIA+ people and journalists during the World Cup, while Qatar is still criticized for the deaths of a large number of migrant workers during the preparations for the World Cup.

Human Rights Risk Assessment in Saudi Arabia

In response to Saudi Arabia's bid to host the 2034 World Cup, FIFA has released a report assessing the human rights risks the country may face in hosting the event. The report noted that Saudi Arabia's human rights risks were "moderate," but it also believed that hosting the World Cup could bring "positive human rights impacts."

However, Saudi Arabia avoided discussing some core human rights issues in its report. The country's current laws still criminalize homosexuality and transgender identity, and there is no commitment to protecting LGBTQIA+ rights. In addition, the report does not make specific commitments on safeguards for press freedom and the rights of religious minorities, which has aroused strong doubts from the outside world.

In terms of labor rights, Saudi Arabia has committed to improving the working conditions of migrant workers and emphasized that it has carried out multiple labor law reforms over the past two decades. However, the reality shows that forced labor and poor working conditions still exist widely in the country. There are currently around 13 million migrant workers in the Kingdom, many of whom endure harsh working conditions on construction sites. According to an investigation by The Guardian, the death toll of migrant workers from Bangladesh alone in Saudi Arabia in 2022 was as high as 1,500.

勞工權益方面，沙烏地阿拉伯承諾改善移工的工作條件，並強調過去二十年來已進行多次勞工法改革。然而，現實情況卻顯示，該國仍存在廣泛的強迫勞動及惡劣的工作環境問題。目前沙國共有約 1,300 萬名移工，其中許多人在建設工地上承受著嚴酷的工作條件。據《衛報》調查，2022 年沙烏地阿拉伯僅來自孟加拉的移工死亡人數就高達 1,500 人。

為了舉辦 2034 年世界盃，沙烏地阿拉伯需要建設 11 座全新體育場、龐大的交通基礎設施以及近 20 萬間酒店房間。這些巨大的基建需求可能進一步加劇當地勞工權益的挑戰。

高昂成本與「體育洗白」的疑慮

近年來，隨著世界盃舉辦成本的持續攀升，願意承擔主辦責任的國家數量正在減少。此次競標過程中，儘管澳洲曾有意競標，但由於未獲亞洲足協支持，最終無緣參賽。相比之下，沙烏地阿拉伯展現了強大的財力與外交影響力，成功拿下主辦權。

To host the 2034 World Cup, Saudi Arabia will need to build 11 new stadiums, massive transport infrastructure and nearly 200,000 hotel rooms. These huge infrastructure needs may further exacerbate local labor rights challenges.

High costs and concerns about “sports whitewashing”

In recent years, as the cost of hosting the World Cup has continued to rise, the number of countries willing to shoulder the hosting responsibility has been shrinking. During this bidding process, although Australia had intended to bid, it was ultimately unable to participate because it did not receive support from the Asian Football Confederation. In contrast, Saudi Arabia demonstrated strong financial resources and diplomatic influence and successfully won the right to host the event.

外界認為，沙烏地阿拉伯此舉是其「體育洗白」（Sportswashing）策略的一部分，旨在透過國際體育盛事提升國際形象，淡化外界對其人權紀錄的批評。

結語：人權與體育的艱難平衡

The outside world believes that Saudi Arabia's move is part of its "Sportswashing" strategy, which aims to enhance its international image through international sports events and downplay criticism of its human rights record.

Conclusion: The difficult balance between human rights and sport

2034 年世界盃的主辦權對沙烏地阿拉伯來說是一個展示國力與提升形象的機會，但同時也帶來了巨大的爭議與挑戰。支持者認為，這是該國推動內部改革的契機；批評者則擔憂，FIFA 的影響力不足以促使沙國落實其人權承諾，反而可能助長其專制統治。

The right to host the 2034 World Cup is an opportunity for Saudi Arabia to showcase its national strength and enhance its image, but it also brings huge controversies and challenges. Supporters see this as an opportunity for the country to promote internal reforms; critics worry that FIFA's influence is not enough to push Saudi Arabia to implement its human rights commitments, but may instead encourage its authoritarian rule.

在未來十年的籌備期間，國際社會將密切關注沙烏地阿拉伯是否能兌現其承諾，包括改善勞工權益、保障少數群體權利及促進社會平等。FIFA 能否發揮其影響力，推動主辦國履行國際標準，亦將對其聲譽及未來發展產生深遠影響。

In the lead-up to the next decade, the international community will pay close attention to whether Saudi Arabia can deliver on its commitments, including improving labor rights, protecting minority rights and promoting social equality. Whether FIFA can exert its influence to promote the host country to implement international standards will also have a profound impact on its reputation and future development.