published
Swiss Ambassador Dörig“I can recommend all football fans to come to this World Cup in Qatar”
Edgar Dörig has been the Swiss ambassador to Qatar for four years. In the interview he talks about the World Cup, developments in the country and the great Western criticism of Qatar.
- von
- Tobias Wedermann
(from Doha)
The ambassador for the World Cup opened the “Club Suisse Doha” in a prominent location.
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With cultural events, Swiss music and a restaurant, the aim is to bring the Qataris closer to Switzerland.
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That’s what it’s about
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Edgar Dörig has been the Swiss ambassador to Qatar since 2018.
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In an interview with 20 minutes, he talks about eventful days, the anticipation of the national team and the criticism of Qatar, which is “partially” justified.
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From his point of view, the criticism is well received in the country, but it is not always appreciated.
Edgar Dörig, you have been the Swiss ambassador to Qatar since 2018. Are you looking forward to the World Cup?
The planning for our Swiss guests, the cooperation with the national team, the many media inquiries and the forthcoming visit by Federal Councilor Ueli Maurer made for intensive, eventful days and a lot of work. As an ambassador, I will follow all three national team games in the stadium. I am really looking forward to this.
Qatar is facing massive criticism. Is this justified?
Major human rights challenges remain in Qatar. Some of the criticism here is certainly justified. The situation of migrant workers, for example, has improved in recent years.
A minimum salary of the equivalent of CHF 270 per month was introduced, the workers should be able to change their employer and no longer have to work in the extreme heat in the summer. This has been anchored in law, but these requirements are not yet implemented everywhere.
Another point of criticism is gay rights. Homosexuality is forbidden by law. However, Qatar always emphasizes that all fans are welcome at the World Cup. Would you recommend gay Nati fans to come to Doha?
It is correct that the legislation here is very conservative and certain behaviors are punished. These laws were not changed with regard to the World Cup, so we are obliged to point out that in extreme cases, actions can be punished. However, we also assume that the World Cup will react with a sense of proportion. I can therefore recommend all football fans to come to this World Cup in Qatar, but to observe the local laws and customs.
Do you address these issues with your Qatari contacts?
Of course. We are in regular and constructive exchange with the Qatari authorities. We also address issues such as labor law, gender equality and the rights of the LGBTIQ community. Switzerland believes that progress in this area can only be achieved by maintaining an open and constructive dialogue.
How does Qatar react to the heavy criticism from Western countries and the media?
In my opinion, the criticism is definitely received, but it is not always appreciated. In the area of human rights in particular, this criticism is still justified, even if there has been progress regarding foreign workers.
How do you see the debate about the short-term beer ban in the stadiums?
It shows the challenges facing the government here in Qatar. On the one hand, they want to present themselves as an open country that welcomes guests from all over the world and from different cultures. On the other hand, there are conservative forces here who criticize this openness. The government must always find a balance.
How have you perceived the changes on site over the past four years?
The country has invested heavily in its infrastructure and a lot has been built. The CHF 200 billion mentioned in many places was not only spent on the World Cup. The stadiums cost around 6.5 billion – much of the rest went into infrastructure such as a metro, modern highways, a new port. The whole population should benefit from this.
Do you think Qatar is ready for such a big event as the World Cup?
The infrastructure is really excellent and very modern. Much was planned long and precisely. It will be a challenge to smuggle several hundred thousand people past each other in Doha, in the stadiums and fan zones.