November 26, 2013 | Quote
Qatar Accused of Fudging ‘Independent’ Inquiry into Migrant World Cup Workers
A top international law firm that was ordered by the Qatari government to conduct an “independent review” into allegations of modern-day slavery at World Cup construction sites is also a paid lobbyist for an arm ofQatar's Al Jazeera television network, The Telegraph can disclose.
DLA Piper has received more than $300,000 (£186,000) in lobbying fees this year from Al Jazeera America according to official filings in the US, raising questions over whether it could conduct an unbiased assessment into allegations that have cast a pall over preparations for the 2022 World Cup.
The review was instigated in response to claims in The Guardian newspaper that Nepalese workers were dying at the rate of one per day as they toiled in extreme heat on World Cup infrastructure projects.
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David Weinberg, a senior fellow specialising in Saudi Arabia and Gulf affairs at the Foundation for Defence of Democracies think-tank in Washington, said DLA Piper's appointment to the review risked creating the perception of a conflict of interest.
“Qatar could have chosen any international law firm to launch this investigation, but instead chose the same firm that has been paid handsomely to lobby for Al Jazeera America,” he said.
“This choice risks sullying the Qatar brand and makes them look more interested in a World Cup cover-up than in fighting forced labour.” Official lobbying declarations show Al Jazeera America made payments to DLA Piper of $120,000, $100,000 and $90,000 in the first three quarters of this year.