FIFA arranges redressal system for journalists, human rights defenders

The “complaints mechanism” would offer to help register concerns about violation of rights while performing work related to FIFA’s activities.

Authorities had initially refused to validate accreditation to German journalist Hajo Seppelt for covering the FIFA World Cup.

FIFA has announced the creation of a “complaints mechanism” for journalists and human rights defenders who “consider their rights to have been violated while performing work related to FIFA’s activities.”

In a communique, FIFA clarified the mechanism is hosted by an external provider and that it “follows the highest standards of data privacy and security.”

FIFA considers this a step in the larger effort to uphold its human rights policy and the freedom of the press. It asserts that judgements made would be taken in accordance with the commitments outlined in its human rights policy.

According to FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura, “This work is a reflection of FIFA’s conviction that all those who advocate for human rights to be upheld in relation to FIFA’s activities need to be able to do so freely and without fear of reprisals.”

This announcement comes after a controversy was generated over the refusal of accreditation to German journalism Hajo Seppelt for covering the FIFA World Cup in Russia. Seppelt was later given a go-ahead by the organisers.