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MIAMI (AP) — FIFA presidential candidate Sheikh Salman says he signed a pledge written by NGOs committing the governing body, if he leads it, to tackle human rights abuses and corruption.
Sheikh Salman says he removed specific references to future World Cup hosts Russia and Qatar, and discrimination against women and LGBT groups, to include a broader definition.
The Bahraini royal says in a statement. "I am of the view that we must not be selective in any area that concerns human rights."
Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and Transparency International joined other groups asking candidates to sign before the Feb. 26 election.
Sheikh Salman has consistently denied being involved in helping identify Bahraini athletes who were detained and allegedly tortured by national security forces after taking part in pro-democracy protests in 2011.
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