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CAMPAIGNER PETER TATCHELL has said he was arrested after staging the first ever LGBT protest in Qatar to “shine a light” on its human rights abuses in the run-up to the World Cup.
In a video released today, he claimed he was “subjected to interrogation” while detained for 49 minutes after carrying out the demonstration outside the national museum in Doha.
I have been freed by #Qatar police after staging first LGBT+ protest in the homophobic Gulf state. @FIFAcom awarded the #WorldCup to Qatar where LGBTs can be jailed & executed. #QatarAntiGay
— Peter Tatchell (@PeterTatchell) October 25, 2022
More info: https://t.co/fEOHFIvbHw Please Retweet pic.twitter.com/u2YzU2B9kx
The 70-year-old activist thanked the public for messages of support and said he would be returning to the airport soon, having been released earlier in the day.
His aim was to draw attention to the country’s treatment of the LGBT+ community, women and migrant workers, he said.
“I staged my protest on the main road outside the National Museum of Qatar for 35 minutes before state security arrived followed up by police,” Tatchell said.
“I was arrested and detained for 49 minutes and subjected to interrogation about where I was from, where I was going, but I have now been released.
Busy few hours with the first ever LGBT+ protest in #Qatar ahead of the World Cup. Great service from the Danielle and the staff at the U.K. consulate. Thank you. @ukinqatar @FCDOGovUK pic.twitter.com/GshtJbQUzK
— Peter Tatchell (@PeterTatchell) October 25, 2022
“But the most important thing is this protest was to shine a light on the abuse of human rights in Qatar. This is the first ever LGBT+ protest in Qatar or any Gulf state.
“But also I sought to draw attention to the abuse of the rights of women and migrant workers as well – I stand in solidarity with those brave Qatari human rights defenders who cannot express their point of view because they fear arrest, jail and possibly even torture.
“I salute them, they are the true heroes.”
Neil Coyle, Labour MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, confirmed his awareness of the situation and expressed hopes that the campaigner was returned home quickly.
I’ll be asking @QatarEmb_London about my constituent today and hope he is returned to the UK ASAP. https://t.co/h8ovd481pz
— Neil Coyle (@coyleneil) October 25, 2022
The Peter Tatchell Foundation, a human rights organisation run by the activist, said he had been holding up a placard reading: “Qatar arrests, jails & subjects LGBTs to ‘conversion’ #QatarAntiGay.”
The foundation said in a press release: “A few minutes ago, Peter was seized by the Qatari security services while demonstrating in Doha against one of the most homophobic regimes on Earth.
“Qatar hosts the Fifa football World Cup in three weeks.
“He was arrested near Qatar’s national museum while staging the first ever public LGBT+ protest in Qatar or any Gulf state.”
Well done Peter! Brave man
@john: A hero…
FIFA conveniently looks the other way.
Peter Tatchell is a longtime campaigner for so called ” Pedophile Rights ” . He wants the age of consent lowered . There is something seriously wrong with anyone who thinks he is a ” hero ” .
@Des Hanrahan: “gays are paedophiles” is the oldest homophobic meme there is https://www.petertatchellfoundation.org/what-peter-tatchell-really-said-about-child-sex-abuse/
@Deirdre O’Byrne: Tatchell has a very long and sordid record . In recent years there has been a major effort to re-habilitate him . If Tatchell was legit why would Minister O’Gorman have turned sumersaults to disassociate himself from him ?
@Deirdre O’Byrne: generally speaking, it is indeed wrong to associate all gays with paedophilia. However this guy has written some seriously disturbing content in the past and has associated with known advocates for paedophilia. I’m not claiming he is himself a paedophile, but at the least he holds some creepy opinions. If he was as confident as he claims was about being misquoted and tricked into writing statements for advocate groups, he’d rightly be suing anyone who claims otherwise. Linking a piece to his own website is not enough to dispel claims unfortunately.
@Longlin: generally speaking it is wrong to associate ANY gays with pedophilia. There is fixed it for you. Pedophiles are pedophiles end of story.
Silly man Peter what did u expect a hero’s welcome,,,those things take time good man now go home and have a cup of tea.
@Paul Owens: and without protests how would change be achieved?
Or maybe you are in favour of the Qatar approach on these issues.
@Paul Owens: Don’t press the comma button too hard bud
@Paul Owens: thats how you protest, right at the face of the problem. And not a drop of glue or soup to be seen.
@Paul Owens: how condescending of you…
@Paul Owens: there’s only one silly billy here and it ain’t Peter.
@Jen Mc: I worked there darling so I think I know the way they think a little better than u and all the others who never foot on Arab soil!!
@Paul Owens: condescending and now patronising.
@Paul Furey: yep but a fact sunshine
Is this the same lad who advocates for pedophilia?
@Paul Kossoff: i very much doubt it .
@Niall James Fergal McCormack: Yes I think he is the guy alright..O’Gorman got into a spot of trouble a few yrs back and said he wasn’t aware of his remarks which where made in the 90s..
@Paul Kossoff: “gays are paedophiles” is the oldest homophobic meme https://www.petertatchellfoundation.org/what-peter-tatchell-really-said-about-child-sex-abuse/
@Paul Kossoff: except he has not advocated for paedophilia. Are you willing to throw any old nonsense to justify homophobia?
Yet everyone is going to cheer the great event starting in a few week.
Can also thanks the modern brave slaves who built those stadiums.
@Michael Legris: I don’t think a single person will be cheering “the event” except the people who have made fortunes from it. People will cheer for their teams and you can understand that.
No
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