Keep World Cup Out of Russia Until Human Rights Abuses End

Target: Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA

Goal: Pull soccer tournaments out of Russia until nation ends its human rights abuses.

FIFA recently held a tournament in Russia, only days after hundreds were imprisoned for protesting the authoritarian regime. However, despite these abuses, the FIFA soccer tournament went on without the association ever questioning the country’s violent actions.

Russian citizens, many of them youths, were arrested, silenced, and, according to some reports, subject to degrading and humiliating torture at the hands of police. FIFA, which prides itself on human rights, stayed silent.

Now, in less than a year’s time, Russia will once again play host to a major tournament: the 2018 World Cup. FIFA should acknowledge Russia’s human rights abuses, confront the nation, and pull its Cup out of the country if the violence against innocent Russian citizens doesn’t end.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Mr. Infantino,

Despite violence and serious human rights abuses in the country of Russia, your organization has held and still plans to hold tournaments in the nation. Your organization prides itself on human rights, but has yet to condemn Russia for its actions.

I demand that you address and condemn the violence in Russia. I ask that, until the violence against innocent civilians comes to an end, you not hold the 2018 World Cup in the nation of this authoritarian regime.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: Pixabay