Luxembourg will join other European cities in boycotting public viewing events of the upcoming World Cup in Qatar, following allegations of human rights and environmental violations in the run-up to the tournament.
On Monday afternoon, officials on the capital’s municipal council confirmed they would not be organising public viewings for the World Cup in Luxembourg City, in response to an urgent question submitted by councillors from the Green Party.
It is confirmed: @CityLuxembourg will not organise public viewings of the world cup in Qatar! pic.twitter.com/vOWIJnYMUI
In early October, a number of French cities, including Paris, Marseille, Lille, Bordeaux, Reims, and Strasbourg announced they would not broadcast matches in public places, with the socialist mayor of Marseille Benoit Payan denouncing the competition as a “human and environmental disaster”.
Last year, a report from the UN’s International Labour Organization said 50 migrant workers died in Qatar in 2020 and 500 others were seriously injured.
Qatari authorities have said that there have only been three deaths at World Cup stadiums in work accidents.
Earlier this week, the London mayor’s office announced there would not be any public fan zones or screenings in the UK capital, as a result of the mayor’s opposition to the alleged human rights abuses in Qatar.