Staff behavior triggers boycott calls of Qatar Airways

Rude and unprofessional behavior from Qatar Airways staff at Islamabad airport, when check in staff were laughing last night at Afghans with valid asylum papers trying to board a flight to Doha. They refused to let them onboard.

Sahar Muhammed Aly also tweeted: "Qatar Airways did the same 2 nights ago to my colleagues who were transiting through Doha to final destination. Had signed and stamped facilitation letters from THREE governments"!!

A human rights group is hoping to persuade travelers from Boston and other cities to avoid flying on Qatar’s state-owned airline when going to the Middle East as international attention focuses on the tiny country leading up to its hosting of the 2022 World Cup.

The Washington-based Alliance for Workers Against Repression Everywhere is stepping up its push for a boycott of Qatar Airways because of human rights violations by the country and the airline.

Several other passengers reported abuse on Qatar Airways:

The decision to award hosting rights to the 2020 World Cup to Qatar has been widely criticized due to concerns over the country's human rights. Hosting the World Cup is an attempt to boost Qatar’s image internationally. 

As part of this attempt, Qatar displayed a World Cup-themed exhibition at the 40th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council entitled “Qatar, See You in 2022” promoting the Cup, and using the glitz and glamor of hosting this prestigious event to whitewash human rights abuses.

Qatar should use the opportunity to organize the 2022 World Cup to not only change its image, but to improve its human rights record.