The World Cup in Qatar has sparked many controversies, one of the most criticized is the violation of the rights of the LGBTQ community. An event of the caliber of the World Cup should serve for these countries to internationalize and advance in terms of rights, but soccer organizations have allowed that far from it, the country can sanction any sign or symbol in support of the group.
The law in Qatar states that: “Whoever copulates with a male over the age of sixteen without duress, coercion or trickery will be punished with a prison sentence of up to seven years. The same penalty will be applied to the male by his consent.” (Criminal Code, Law No. 11 of 2004; Article 285) “Whoever commits the following crimes will be punished with imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than three years: Driving, instigating or seducing a male in any manner of committing sodomy or dissipation; To induce or seduce a man or a woman in any way to commit illegal or immoral actions”. (Penal Code, Law No. 11 of 2004; Article 296)
Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar and is punishable by up to seven years in prison and a fine. Under sharia law, the punishment for Muslims can be the death penalty, although this has not been recorded in Qatar.
Laws in Qatar are influenced by Islamic morality, so there is no legal recognition in the country for same-sex marriage, civil unions, or common-law partnerships. Furthermore, general displays of public affection in Qatar can lead to arrest.
The following rights are not recognized in Qatar:
It is the second consecutive World Cup in which LGBTQ soccer fans have had to decide whether or not to travel to a nation with a poor record on gay rights, after Russia in 2018. However, FIFA says that received assurances from the Qatari authorities regarding the safety of the fans. Details have not been shared, giving supporter groups little faith in any protection during the tournament.
The official Welsh LGBTQ+ supporters group will boycott the tournament because members believed it was unsafe to travel to the Middle East given the region’s human rights record.
Many nations that have qualified for the tournament are planning ways to protest Qatar’s human rights record. Denmark will wear messages in support of human rights in its training kit during the World Cup, having previously worn shirts that read “Football Supports Change”.
Germany, the Netherlands and Norway are among other international parties that have staged similar protests in recent years.
Nasser Al Khater, the chief executive of the tournament’s organizing committee, says he has been treated “unfairly” since gaining hosting rights in 2010. Openly gay footballer Josh Cavallo said he would be “scared” to play in Qatar because of the anti-LGBTQ fight. laws, but Al Khater said he would be welcome in the country.
In November 2021, he said: “On the contrary, we welcome you here in the state of Qatar, we welcome you to come and see even before the World Cup… nobody feels threatened here, nobody feels insecure.
“The notion that people don’t feel safe here is false. I’ve said this before and I’m telling you again, everyone is welcome here. Everyone is welcome here and everyone will feel safe here. Qatar is a tolerant country. It is a welcoming country. It is a hospitable country.”
He added: “Qatar and the region are much more modest, and Qatar and the region are much more conservative. And this is what we ask the fans to respect. And we’re sure the fans will respect that… we respect different cultures and we hope that other cultures respect ours.”
In June 2022, Guardian questioned the Supreme Committee, which organizes the World Cup, on LGBTQ issues in Qatar, including the protection and flying of rainbow flags.
A blanket response to the newspaper read: “Everyone will be welcome in Qatar in 2022, regardless of race, background, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or nationality. We are a relatively conservative society; for example, public displays of affection are not part of our culture. We believe in mutual respect and while everyone is welcome, what we expect in return is that everyone respect our culture and traditions.”
A Qatari security chief has since revealed that rainbow and pride flags may be confiscated at the World Cup as a purported security measure to protect supporters from anyone anti-LGBTQ.
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