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- Published: October 28, 2022 17:08
New Delhi: With the grand opening ceremony of the biggest international football tournament in Qatar just around the corner, protests are also stirring up against the state’s anti-gay policies. Recently, LGBTQ+ activist Peter Tatchell was arrested by the local police in the middle eastern country for his related to the rights of gay community in Qatar.
British activist’s peaceful protest was the first such protest in the gulf state, highlighting the atrocities on gay people in the strictly religious state, according to news daily Sport Bible.
In the pictures that emerged on social media, Tatchell can be seen wearing a white t-shirt with “#QatarAntiGay” written over it. He can also be seen holding a playcard that read, “Qatar arrests, jails & subjects LGBTs to conversion”.
UK tells LGBT+ fans to compromise their sexuality.
The #PTFweekly newsletter is out at https://t.co/XuJ10SLUcO#Qatari security services seize Peter Tatchell in landmark protest. pic.twitter.com/bz7V4LAhBh
— Peter Tatchell (@PeterTatchell) October 27, 2022
Homosexual activities and relationships are illegal in Qatar, and if found involved, an individual is subjected to death penalty as per The Human Dignity Trust.
For the unversed, this is the first a FIFA event is being held in a Middle Eastern country. The decision of playing the tournament in Qatar has been quite controversial, with the human rights issues in the state remains a significant concern.
Meanwhile, Tatchell later announced that he was released by the authorities after few hours of his arrest.
Contrary to critics of my #Qatar protest, I responded to Qatari requests for protests & media coverage of the regime’s anti-LGBT+ abuses. For weeks, I offered to help amplify Qatari voices. I set up journalists & secure interview encryption. None in the critics group came forward pic.twitter.com/WlRD6CIAsY
— Peter Tatchell (@PeterTatchell) October 26, 2022
If reports are to be believed, the authorities in Qatar are dealing with initial protests in the country with utmost sensitivity for the smooth execution of the much hyped up FIFA tournament.