By Ben Kerrigan-
Former Prime Minister, Sir Tony Blair has told UK critics to move on from protests over LGBT rights in Qatar, warning outsiders to not “disrespect” the country.
His warning comes in the wake of criticism against the oil rich nation’s atrocious human rights record regarding migrant workers, women, and the LGBT community.
Blair (pictured)highlighted the country’s alliance with the Uk and suggested that there would eventually be a revolution in the area of gay rights. He also urged protesters to be practical about the fact change will not come about due to protests.
In an interview with Emily Maitlis on the News Agents podcast, Tony Blair, who served from 1997 to 2007, said: “It’s not sensible of us to disrespect Qatar. This is their biggest event they’ve held.
He said: “It’s not sensible of us to disrespect Qatar. This is their biggest event they’ve held.
“It’s a huge event for the country. They are allies of us, they invest huge amounts of money in this country.
“One of the things I can see now is a kind of social revolution going on across the Middle East and I think it will in the end change the role of women and things like gay rights.
“Make your point, but then having made your point you recognise for the country it’s a very important event.
“There is a process of change. Is it happening quick enough? No – you always want it to happen quicker, but there is this process of change happening across the Middle East,” he said on The News Agents podcast with Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel.
He said wearing a OneLove armband would not “determine whether the country moves into a more progressive position or not.
“It’s a huge event for the country. They are allies of us, they invest huge amounts of money in this country.
“One of the things I can see now is a kind of social revolution going on across the Middle East and I think it will in the end change the role of women and things like gay rights.
“Make your point, but then having made your point you recognise for the country it’s a very important event.
“There is a process of change. Is it happening quick enough? No – you always want it to happen quicker, but there is this process of change happening across the Middle East.”
He added: “It’s important now I think having made the point, we move on.”
A row at the beginning of the tournament over players’ plans to wear OneLove armbands to promote inclusivity and LGBTQ+ rights sparked controversy with the risk of boiling over into
Tony Blair says ‘we’re in danger of going over the top’ with criticism of Qatar and thinks it is dipping into ‘gesture politics’.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is boycotting the football tournament with his frontbench team over LGBTQ rights people and women, and for workers who died in the build-up to the competition.
Amnesty International criticised Sir Tony’s comments.
Sacha Deshmukh, Amnesty International UK’s chief executive, said: “It isn’t remotely disrespectful to say that no-one should suffer discrimination or the threat of a seven-year jail sentence simply on the basis of their sexuality.
“Qatar’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws are absolutely indefensible and there was never any conceivable way that Qatar would be able to host the World Cup without this being pointed out time and time again.
“Instead of harking back to 1966 and the completely different world of 56 years ago, Tony Blair should be standing up for present-day LGBTQ+ Qataris who are being denied their freedom and their basic rights.
“The former prime minister should realise that if anything is driving change in Gulf countries today, it’s the bravery of human rights defenders who are putting their freedom on the line.”