GENEVA - Qatar has been urged at the United Nations to abolish the sponsorship system tying migrant workers to employers. Delegates at a U.N. Human Rights Council panel reviewing Qatars record on Wednesday repeatedly raised concerns about exploitation of workers in construction and domestic households. Several of 84 states speaking in the session linked Qatar hosting the 2022 World Cup with the need to reform its laws. "There are widespread reports of violations of the rights of migrant workers, especially in the context of preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup," the Ireland delegation said in a statement. Recommendations, which are not binding, included scrapping exit visas which can prevent immigrant workers leaving, and giving legal protection against what Belgium said was "persistence of violence against women and girls." Qatars assistant foreign minister, Sheik Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, said there had been "some helpful recommendations from different countries." "We recognize that there are certain issues and challenges we are facing about the migrant workers," the minister told The Associated Press after the three-hour meeting. "We think the World Cup is a catalyst for us to help us accelerate our performance." Qatari authorities are preparing to announce some changes within weeks, after a review of their labour laws. "We will come, I think, very soon within the current month with an overall work program," Sheik Mohammed said. The minister opened the panel meeting outlining progress made enacting recommendations — including measures to combat human trafficking and protect women and children from domestic violence — since a previous four-yearly review in 2010. The International Trade Union Confederation and rights groups have criticized Qatar for slow adoption of laws to protect non-Qatari nationals, and failure to enforce existing laws properly. With the World Cup expected to kick off in November 2022, Qatar faces two further U.N. human rights reviews before matches start. Spain led calls on Wednesday to "strike from the books" the "kafala" sponsorship system which gives employers veto power over workers leaving their job or going home. The Netherlands called for Qatar to make adequate labour conditions "an important criterion for granting building contracts" and to blacklist contractors who violated rules. The Qatari minister called for understanding of the emirates issues handling an influx of foreign workers — comprising 85 per cent of a resident population of around 2 million — during its rapid growth. "There are some challenges with the current laws," Sheik Mohammed acknowledged. "In order to have partners in this development, we need the flow of ex-pat workers who are coming to work for us and helping us." Still, many U.N. member states on Wednesday expressed concern for migrant domestic staff who will be required in Qatari households after the construction boom. Belgium urged Qatar to assure women they could complain "without fear of reprisal or harassment" by their employers. Spain noted that marital rape is not a crime in Qatar, and the Czech Republic recommended criminalizing all violence against women. "We are encouraging them if there is any problem to report it and we have put the mechanisms in place," the Qatari minister told the AP. "This is a freedom which is granted by the government." France led recommendations that Qatari women who married foreign men be allowed to pass on their nationality to their children. Amid widespread requests to ensure freedom of expression and protest in Qatar, the United States recommended that the government release all prisoners of conscience including poet Muhammad ibn al-Dheeb al-Ajami. He is serving a 15-year jail term for writing verses judged offensive to the former Emir. A report reviewing Qatars progress will be adopted Friday, and is scheduled to be considered at a session of the 47-nation Human Rights Council in September. Terry Steinbach Jersey .com) - On the bright side, either the Minnesota Wild or Buffalo Sabres will end their losing streak on Thursday night. Taylor Rogers Twins Jersey . -- DeMarcus Cousins had 25 points and 16 rebounds to help the Sacramento Kings snap a seven-game losing streak by defeating the Chicago Bulls 99-70 on Monday night. https://www.cheaptwins.com/1242t-gary-gaetti-jersey-twins.html . Each day, TSN.ca provides the latest rumours, reports and speculation from around the NHL beat. Keeping The Captain? Brian Giontas agent Steve Bartlett told La Presse on Tuesday that the Montreal Canadiens want to keep their captain - an unrestricted free agent on July 1 - in the fold, while sources tell the paper that the two sides will start talks this week. Jake Cave Twins Jersey . -- Martin Kaymer never lost sight of opportunity even amid so much evidence of trouble in the closing stretch Sunday at The Players Championship. Frank Viola Twins Jersey . - Joao Plata scored twice in the final 24 minutes, including the winner in stoppage time, to help Real Salt Lake remain unbeaten with a 3-2 victory over the winless Chicago Fire on Saturday night.Two teams that shed significant parts on Wednesdays NHL trade deadline square off Thursday night as the Edmonton Oilers host the New York Islanders at Rexall Place. The Islanders dealt Thomas Vanek to the Montreal Canadiens after less than a year on Long Island. Meanwhile, the Oilers dealt long-time sniper Ales hemsky to the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday for a fifth-round pick in 2014 and a third-rounder in 2015. Edmonton did snap a three-game slide on Tuesday, besting the Ottawa Senators 3-2. Jordan Eberle had the eventual game-winner and Taylor Hall had two assists. Ben Scrivens, one day after signing a two-year extension with Edmonton, posted 34 saves. Hemsky scored twice in his final game with the Oilers. The Czech Republic native posted nine goals and 17 assists in 55 games with the Oilers this season. A first-round selection (13th overall) by the Oilers in 2001, Hemsky has recorded 142 goals and 335 assists for 477 points in 652 NHL games. "Its just a mix of feelings," said Hemsky. "Its hard to leave from here because Ive been here for so long and I was comfortable here. I knew the city and the team and everything. Its the only team Ive been playing for so its kind of weird. Like I said, Im ready for the challenge." Edmonton also traded defenseman Nick Schultz to the Columbus Blue Jets for an upcoming fifth-round draft pick. The Oilers lost a 3-2 decision in New York back on Oct. 17 and have dropped three of the last four meetings. The Islanders, though, have lost three straight in Edmonton, where they have not won since March 13, 2003. The Islanders take aim at their first two-game winning streak in well over a month on Thursday night. New York, aiming for a second straight trip to the playoffs, made a bold move back in October when it acquired winger Thomas Vanek from the Buffalo Sabres for forward Matt Moulson and two draft picks, including a first-round pick in 2014.dddddddddddd The Islanders, though, have struggled for most of the season and it appeared as though they were going to be unable to re-sign Vanek before he hit unrestricted free agency this summer. Those factors all led to New York trading Vanek on Wednesday to the Montreal Canadiens. In return, the Isles got prospect Sebastian Collberg and will also get a 2014 second-round pick from the Habs if they make the playoffs. New York would also send Montreal a fifth-round selection should that happen. It marked the second trade in as many days for the Islanders, who on Tuesday shipped defenseman Andrew MacDonald to the Philadelphia Flyers prior to a game versus the hosting Winnipeg Jets. Vanek was a healthy scratch for that contest, but New York still managed a 3-2 victory in overtime to win for only the third time in its past 12 games. Michael Grabner had the winner in overtime, taking a lead pass from Cal Clutterbuck before racing past two Jets defenders. The speedy forward then beat Ondrej Pavelec with a forehand shot with 69 seconds left in the bonus frame. Colin McDonald and Anders Lee each scored in regulation, while Anders Nilsson made 36 saves in the victory. New York played most of the contest without forward Eric Boulton, who exited early with a hand injury. "I think that most guys know that this time of year is a little difficult, but I thought we were focused. We were ready to play obviously against a big strong hockey team thats playing real well," Islanders head coach Jack Capuano said. Despite winning the opener of a four-game road trip, the Isles are 13 points back of a playoff spot. ' ' '