“I look forward to visiting Qatar when it has fulfilled all the human rights pledges it made when it won the right to host the World Cup.”
Pop star Dua Lipa has denied reports that she will be performing at the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar.
In a statement, Dua said that she looks forward to visiting Qatar, if they honour the human rights commitment they made before becoming the host.
On her Instagram, she wrote: “There is currently a lot of speculation that I will be performing at the opening ceremony of the world cup in Qatar.
“I will not be performing and nor have I ever been involved in any negotiation to perform.
“I will be cheering England on from afar and I look forward to visiting Qatar when it has fulfilled all the human rights pledges it made when it won the right to host the World Cup.
“One love, Dua.”
The decision to allow Qatar to host the World Cup has been met with criticism from many due to its human rights record.
Amnesty International has accused the country of abusing and exploiting migrant workers from Bangladesh, Nepal and India in the process of preparing to host the tournament. The human rights organisation has shared concerns about the workers’ living conditions, the issue of forced labour, wage theft and infringements on their movement.
Qatar’s track record on LGBT+ rights has also been highlighted as cause for a boycott. In the country, same-sex relationships between men and women are punishable by death.
Last week, a Qatar World Cup ambassador attracted backlash for saying that being gay was a “damage of the mind”.
Khalid Salman said that those who come to Qatar for the tournament must “accept” the country’s laws.
Public figures who have been promoting the World Cup have also been subject to criticism. Joe Lycett, for instance, has called on David Beckham to not fulfil his multimillion pound deal to promote the World Cup.
