| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch 19:12 - Oct 24 with 10112 views | KeithHaynes |
Beirut) — Qatar Preventive Security Department forces have arbitrarily arrested lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and subjected them to ill-treatment in detention, Human Rights Watch said today. LGBT people interviewed said that their mistreatment took place as recently as September 2022, as Qatar prepared to host the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup in November and even as the government came under intense scrutiny for its treatment of LGBT people.
Human Rights Watch documented six cases of severe and repeated beatings and five cases of sexual harassment in police custody between 2019 and 2022. Security forces arrested people in public places based solely on their gender expression and unlawfully searched their phones. As a requirement for their release, security forces mandated that transgender women detainees attend conversion therapy sessions at a government-sponsored “behavioral healthcare” center.
“While Qatar prepares to host the World Cup, security forces are detaining and abusing LGBT people simply for who they are, apparently confident that the security force abuses will go unreported and unchecked,” said Rasha Younes, LGBT rights researcher at Human Rights Watch. “Qatari authorities need to end impunity for violence against LGBT people. The world is watching.”
Human Rights Watch interviewed six LGBT Qataris, including four transgender women, one bisexual woman, and one gay man. Doctor Nasser Mohamed, an openly gay Qatari activist, helped connect Human Rights Watch to five of those interviewed.
All said that Preventive Security Department officers detained them in an underground prison in Al Dafneh, Doha, where they verbally harassed and subjected detainees to physical abuse, ranging from slapping to kicking and punching until they bled. One woman said she lost consciousness. Security officers also inflicted verbal abuse, extracted forced confessions, and denied detainees access to legal counsel, family, and medical care. All six said that police forced them to sign pledges indicating that they would “cease immoral activity.”
All were detained without charge, in one case for two months in solitary confinement, without access to legal counsel. None received any record of having been detained. These acts could constitute arbitrary detention under international human rights law.
The Preventive Security Department is under Qatar’s Interior Ministry.
A transgender Qatari woman said that after security forces arrested her on the street in Doha, Preventive Security officers accused her of “imitating women” because of her gender expression. In the police car, they beat her until her lips and nose were bleeding and kicked her in the stomach, she said. “You gays are immoral, so we will be the same to you,” she said one officer told her.
“I saw many other LGBT people detained there: two Moroccan lesbians, four Filipino gay men, and one Nepalese gay man,” she said. “I was detained for three weeks without charge, and officers repeatedly sexually harassed me. Part of the release requirement was attending sessions with a psychologist who ‘would make me a man again.’”
Another Qatari transgender woman said she was arrested in public by Preventive Security Department forces because she was wearing makeup. “They gave me hand wipes and made me wipe the makeup off my face,” she said. “They used the makeup-stained wipes as evidence against me and took a picture of me with the wipes in my hand. They also shaved my hair.” Security forces made her sign a pledge that she would not wear makeup again as a condition for her release, she said.
A Qatari bisexual woman said: “[Preventive Security officers] beat me until I lost consciousness several times. An officer took me blindfolded by car to another place that felt like a private home from the inside and forced me to watch restrained people getting beaten as an intimidation tactic.”
A Qatari transgender woman, arrested by Preventive Security in public in Doha, said: “They [Preventive Security] are a mafia. They detained me twice, once for two months in a solitary cell underground, and once for six weeks. They beat me every day and shaved my hair. They also made me take off my shirt and took a picture of my breasts. I suffered from depression because of my detention. I still have nightmares to this day, and I’m terrified of being in public.”
In all cases, LGBT detainees said, Preventive Security forces forced them to unlock their phones and took screenshots of private pictures and chats from their devices, as well as contact information of other LGBT people.
A Qatari gay man who has experienced government repression, including arbitrary arrest, said that security forces surveilled and arrested him based on his online activity.
All those interviewed provided strikingly similar accounts. The repressive climate around free expression in Qatar, including around the rights of LGBT people, has made many people who may have experienced mistreatment afraid to be interviewed because of the risk of retaliation, Human Rights Watch said.
Qatar’s Penal Code, under article 285, punishes extramarital sex, including same-sex relations, with up to seven years in prison. None of those interviewed said they faced charges, and it appears their arbitrary arrest and detention is based on Law No 17 of 2002 on Protection of Community, which allows for provisional detention without charge or trial for up to six months, if “there exist well-founded reasons to believe that the defendant may have committed a crime,” including “violating public morality.” Qatari authorities also censor mainstream media reports about sexual orientation and gender identity.
In 2020, Qatar assured prospective visitors that it would welcome LGBT visitors and that fans would be free to fly the rainbow flag at the World Cup football games. Suggestions by officials that Qatar would make an exception to its abusive laws and practices for outsiders are implicit reminders that Qatari authorities do not believe that its LGBT citizens and residents deserve basic rights, Human Rights Watch said.
FIFA, the football governing body, which awarded Qatar the World Cup in 2010, adopted in 2016 the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, which require it to “avoid infringing on the human rights of others and address adverse human rights impacts.” It requires FIFA to take adequate measures for the “prevention, mitigation, and remediation” of human rights impacts.
Qatari security forces should end arrests for adult, consensual sexual relations, including same-sex conduct, or those based on gender expression, and immediately release LGBT people who remain arbitrarily detained, Human Rights Watch said. The Qatari government should put an end to security force ill-treatment against LGBT people, including by halting any government-sponsored programs aimed at conversion practices. Countries sending external security forces to Qatar during the World Cup should ensure they comply with international human rights law and refrain from adding to Qatari security forces’ abuses.
The Qatari authorities should repeal article 285 and all other laws that criminalize consensual sexual relations outside of marriage and introduce legislation that protects against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, online and offline. Freedom of expression and nondiscrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity should be guaranteed, permanently, for all residents of Qatar, not just spectators going to Qatar for the World Cup, Human Rights Watch said.
“Only weeks ahead of the World Cup, LGBT people are raising the alarm on the abuses they have endured by security forces,” Younes said. “The Qatari government should call an immediate halt to this abuse and FIFA should push the Qatari government to ensure long-term reform that protects LGBT people from discrimination and violence."
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| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch on 20:40 - Oct 24 with 3751 views | onehunglow |
I raised the question about us all being hypocrites if we watch this football tournament in a backward land like this .
By competing in it,we condone . |  |
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| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch on 20:51 - Oct 24 with 3743 views | JACKMANANDBOY |
An obviously questionable decision by FIFA to locate to Qatar that no one in football seems interested in standing up to. |  |
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| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch on 20:53 - Oct 24 with 3740 views | onehunglow |
| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch on 20:51 - Oct 24 by JACKMANANDBOY |
An obviously questionable decision by FIFA to locate to Qatar that no one in football seems interested in standing up to. |
I remember the day when both Moscow and Qatar were selected.
Football is morally bankrupt
It could have stood together as one and said No. | |
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| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch on 21:03 - Oct 24 with 3737 views | JACKMANANDBOY |
| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch on 20:53 - Oct 24 by onehunglow |
I remember the day when both Moscow and Qatar were selected.
Football is morally bankrupt
It could have stood together as one and said No. |
Southgate was questioned on his stance, he said that there was no point England boycotting the World Cup because no one else will, rather remarkable for someone who spends half his press conferences virtue signalling.
The media of course, let him and evreryone else in football get away with it. Someone needs to read the Human Rights Watch report to him in a press confderence and ask him to explain what he is doing going to Qatar. | |
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| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch on 21:25 - Oct 24 with 3708 views | Flashberryjack |
| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch on 20:40 - Oct 24 by onehunglow |
I raised the question about us all being hypocrites if we watch this football tournament in a backward land like this .
By competing in it,we condone . |
Taking the knee, rainbow lace's, rainbow flags, then they are off to play football in this racist and human rights abusing sh*te hole, I don't think the word "hypocrites covers it". |  |
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| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch on 22:04 - Oct 24 with 3678 views | onehunglow |
| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch on 21:25 - Oct 24 by Flashberryjack |
Taking the knee, rainbow lace's, rainbow flags, then they are off to play football in this racist and human rights abusing sh*te hole, I don't think the word "hypocrites covers it". |
Thanks.
Sone poster suggested I was making a personal slight as regards hypocrites.
I was and we are
I am as I ll probably watch it. I will feel self revision for sure.
Not one of us has ever lived from of hypocrisy
This is proof.
We need to accept that and ask why we cannot truly be honest to our souls.
I would be a very proud man if my country has said,you can fark off and stick your filthy World Cup . | |
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| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch on 22:10 - Oct 24 with 3671 views | Joesus_Of_Narbereth |
It’s fine. Drakeford and his mates are going to educate them all. Give it a month and even the Emir himself will be donning leather lingerie and singing “I am who I am.”
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| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch on 23:35 - Oct 24 with 3638 views | Boundy |
| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch on 20:40 - Oct 24 by onehunglow |
I raised the question about us all being hypocrites if we watch this football tournament in a backward land like this .
By competing in it,we condone . |
Of course it’s being condoned either directly or indirectly , it’s great that we’ve qualified but at what cost to our integrity , supporters clapping every time players take the knee both of which is a sham ,done just to show how virtuous they are .Money transcends everything always has and always will so excuse me if I can’t nor will get excited about a tournament which should never ever been awarded to a country so trapped in the 15th century , all glitz but no moral compass | |
| "In a free society, the State is the servant of the people—not the master." |
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| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch on 23:43 - Oct 24 with 3636 views | BarrySwan |
To be fair I would imagine all those footballers who have been wearing rainbow laces and armbands for so long now will be refusing to play at the World Cup.
[Post edited 24 Oct 2022 23:44]
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| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch on 09:00 - Oct 25 with 3540 views | Dr_Winston |
An obviously corrupt, bought and paid for decision to hold it there in the first place. FIFA should have been burned to the ground in the aftermath, Platini and Blatter crucified on site and the ashes salted to ensure that it could never grow back again.
Unfortunately there are far too many vested interests to do what needs to be done and wrest control of the game back from the Infantinos and Ceferins of this World. |  |
| Pain or damage don't end the world. Or despair, or f*cking beatings. The world ends when you're dead. Until then, you got more punishment in store. Stand it like a man... and give some back. |
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| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch on 09:17 - Oct 25 with 3553 views | onehunglow |
Clearly,most of us feel revulsionnat this oncoming tournament .
Great stuff ,folks | |
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| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch on 09:25 - Oct 25 with 3549 views | YrAlarch |
| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch on 20:40 - Oct 24 by onehunglow |
I raised the question about us all being hypocrites if we watch this football tournament in a backward land like this .
By competing in it,we condone . |
I agree. I recall that the same sort of carp was uttered when Russia was awarded the World Cup. Look where that got us.
On another point. I respected our First Minister, Drakeford, until I heard that he and a bunch of cronies are going on a jolly to Qatar. No respect now. What a hypocrite. | | | |
| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch on 09:47 - Oct 25 with 3540 views | onehunglow |
| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch on 09:25 - Oct 25 by YrAlarch |
I agree. I recall that the same sort of carp was uttered when Russia was awarded the World Cup. Look where that got us.
On another point. I respected our First Minister, Drakeford, until I heard that he and a bunch of cronies are going on a jolly to Qatar. No respect now. What a hypocrite. |
Strange we all agree on this .
It makes it harder to swallow as we really should not have allowed this to happen | |
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| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch on 10:31 - Oct 25 with 3519 views | controversial_jack |
| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch on 09:00 - Oct 25 by Dr_Winston |
An obviously corrupt, bought and paid for decision to hold it there in the first place. FIFA should have been burned to the ground in the aftermath, Platini and Blatter crucified on site and the ashes salted to ensure that it could never grow back again.
Unfortunately there are far too many vested interests to do what needs to be done and wrest control of the game back from the Infantinos and Ceferins of this World. |
The Uk, and many other countries get a lot of LNG from Qatar. Scratch my back etc. It's all political, this is why I won't be watching any of it. | | | |
| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch on 11:50 - Oct 25 with 3489 views | onehunglow |
| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch on 10:31 - Oct 25 by controversial_jack |
The Uk, and many other countries get a lot of LNG from Qatar. Scratch my back etc. It's all political, this is why I won't be watching any of it. |
Good 😌 on yiu ,seriously.
I wish I could soo the same | |
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| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch on 20:24 - Oct 25 with 3342 views | max936 |
| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch on 20:40 - Oct 24 by onehunglow |
I raised the question about us all being hypocrites if we watch this football tournament in a backward land like this .
By competing in it,we condone . |
They call it expanding the game to the "lesser" Countries to share the love of the game and under the pretence of bringing these Countries into the 21st Century and educating them in the ways or this "New World", the actual reality is far far different, I'd love to know how many brown envelopes and "special gifts" have been lavished on those that decided it was a the right thing to do.
How does that Neil Diamond song go again  |  |
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| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch on 09:55 - Oct 26 with 3229 views | onehunglow |
| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch on 20:24 - Oct 25 by max936 |
They call it expanding the game to the "lesser" Countries to share the love of the game and under the pretence of bringing these Countries into the 21st Century and educating them in the ways or this "New World", the actual reality is far far different, I'd love to know how many brown envelopes and "special gifts" have been lavished on those that decided it was a the right thing to do.
How does that Neil Diamond song go again |
Beautiful noise | |
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| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch on 11:42 - Oct 26 with 3201 views | felixstowe_jack |
| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch on 09:25 - Oct 25 by YrAlarch |
I agree. I recall that the same sort of carp was uttered when Russia was awarded the World Cup. Look where that got us.
On another point. I respected our First Minister, Drakeford, until I heard that he and a bunch of cronies are going on a jolly to Qatar. No respect now. What a hypocrite. |
Who is going to run Wales while they away on holiday. | |
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| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch on 14:28 - Oct 26 with 3124 views | Dr_Winston |
You could at least see footballing reasons for giving a World Cup to Russia. It was awarded before the Crimea situation kicked off anyway.
There are no footballing reasons whatsoever for Qatar to get the tournament. Zero. Zip. Zilch. It was obviously all about the bribes. If it was about growing the game Australia applied to host and could easily have done it but got turned down. | |
| Pain or damage don't end the world. Or despair, or f*cking beatings. The world ends when you're dead. Until then, you got more punishment in store. Stand it like a man... and give some back. |
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| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch on 15:58 - Oct 26 with 3113 views | YrAlarch |
| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch on 11:42 - Oct 26 by felixstowe_jack |
Who is going to run Wales while they away on holiday. |
The Civil Servants. They normally do. | | | |
| Qatar LGBGT from Human Rights watch on 21:33 - Oct 26 with 2937 views | trampie |
Spain has an Imperialist fascist history, even as late as the Wars unlike other neutral countries they actively supported the Axis forces, Cadiz was where German U-boats got refuelled and resupplied at one time, and bull fighting is still allowed in this day and age.
Better to have a World cup in Wales. |  |
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