Human Rights Centre defends Shaikh Salman

The human rights abuse allegations against Bahraini FIFA presidency candidate are part of an agenda to tarnish Bahrain’s reputation and economy, claims a Human Rights Organization.

The Gulf European Centre for Human Rights has leaped to the defence of FIFA Presidential Candidate Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, after the international media questioned his human rights record. He was accused of heading a team to investigate and prosecute athletes during the crisis in Bahrain in 2011.

Shaikh Salman, who currently serves as the President of the Asian Football Confederation, officially submitted his application to join the elections after wide speculations last month.

Speaking to DT News, Gulf European Centre for Human Rights General Coordinator Faisal Fulad said, “During the crisis in 2011, there were many human rights observers active but none of them reported anything negative regarding Sheikh Salman. Why is it only now when it is time for the elections that they chose to make noise? It is obviously a political game to damage his reputation before the elections. This is just like what happened during the Formula one championship when they made noise to disrupt the event and to damage Bahrain’s economy,” he said.

“As the president of the Asian Football Confederation, he was very successful. He was a good leader and he succeeded in keeping good relations with the member countries. He demonstrated his leadership and organisational qualities over the years but certain groups want to undermine all of those for political motives. Shaikh Salman is hardworking, dedicated to building his vision in sports,” he explained.

“He has played a huge role in the development of Football in Asia. He has worked towards the development of the sport for the  physically challenged and in nurturing a talented youth and to end discrimination between nations. He has also developed a system to fight corruption.

Managing a federation with 47 countries is not easy, especially in Asia,” Fulad added.

Shaikh Salman himself denied the allegations, describing them as ‘nasty lies’. “I cannot deny something that I haven’t done. Such accusations are not just damaging, it’s really hurting. Some people have agenda on their table. It’s not just damaging me, it’s damaging the people and the country. These are false, nasty lies that have been repeated again and again in the past and the present,” he said.

However, the Bahraini youth seem not to be bothered by the controversies. They are excited at the prospect of a Bahraini becoming the FIFA president. “I think that if a Bahraini becomes FIFA president, it would bring international attention to Bahrain. We are a small country so these type of attention will be very good,” 24-year-old Hassan Ahmed said. “It will be a great achievement if a Bahraini candidate wins the elections.

 Our country needs these type of achievement to be noticed in the world,” said Khalid, another youth.

Caption : AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa

Report by 

Mohammed Zafran/DTNN

zafran@dt.bh