Peter Tatchell Arrested in Qatar After LGBTQ+ Protest
Activist Peter Tatchell has been arrested after staging the first ever LGBTQ+ protest in public in Qatar, outside the National Museum in Doha.
Metro shared mobile phone footage showing a police officer approaching Mr. Tatchell, who was wearing a shirt labelled #QatarAntiGay and holding a placard stating, "Qatar arrests, jails and subjects LGBTs to 'conversion.'" Their conversation cannot be heard, but the video shows the officer taking the placard and folding it away.
According to Peter's colleagues, they received a text message from him at 11:40 a.m. which simply said: “arrested.” They have not heard from him since, and Mr. Tatchell’s current location remains unknown.
The following statement was released on Peter Tatchell’s Twitter account at 12:45 p.m., referencing the reason for the protest and confirming Mr. Tatchell’s persecution:
“I have been seized by #Qatar police after staging the first LGBT+ protest in the homophobic Gulf state. @FIFAcom awarded the #WorldCup to Qatar where LGBTs can be jailed & executed. #FreePeter #QatarAntiGay”
Josh Wheeler, spokesperson for human rights organization The Peter Tatchell Foundation, stated that the person who filmed the video may also have been detained. “We want to see his release as soon as possible.” Mr. Wheeler told Metro. “This shines a light on the reality of what is going on for LGBTQ+ people and for women.”
Mr. Tatchell’s whereabouts currently remains unknown.
Read related myGwork articles here:
Qatar 'Arrested And Abused' LGBTQ+ People
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