Qatari media hit out at European media 'smear' campaign

October 11 - With less than six weeks to go before the World Cup, Qatar's tightly controlled media has joined forces to hit back at European attacks on the Gulf state's questionable human rights record.

Editorials and cartoons have lambasted alleged "smear campaigns" over Qatar's victimization of migrant workers and the LGBTQ community, which has been highlighted in European media.

Criticism of Qatar's record has all but persisted since the tournament was surprisingly awarded to the small country 12 years ago, with most relying on facts and figures to back up claims. allegations of ill-treatment.

Some of Qatar's strict rules have been relaxed as a result, including the abolition of the exploitative kafala system that tied migrant workers to their employers.

European newspapers and human rights groups have been stepping up the pressure ahead of the tournament which begins on November 20 and is expected to draw more than a million fans.

Last month organizers held a press conference, the first in many months, to address criticism and defend the country's conduct - and now the country's media have joined in.

The Arabic-language daily Al Rayahas published a satirical cartoon depicting the World Cup trophy surrounded by arrows symbolizing the criticism Qatar has faced.

In an editorial, the newspaper said that the European press had been waging "a furious attack on the World Cup in Qatar since its announcement in December 2010".

"Let's stop the smear campaigns and cooperate for a World Cup that brings people together", adds the daily.

Meanwhile, Al Sharq newspaper denounced "lies, rumors and slander" it said had been written in Europe about the preparations, alleging a "systematic conspiracy" by the media of many European countries about the rights of migrant workers, "while these media have forgotten the miserable conditions experienced by workers in Europe".

Even the English-language Doha News joined in, declaring in an editorial: "It's time you practiced the tolerance you advocate", pointing the finger at European countries that have "seen migrants fleeing conflict , devastation and poverty drown at the bottom of the Mediterranean".

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