‘If a woman is raped, she’s not the criminal’

Qatar’s sex laws see Fifa resort to extraordinary memo to police

QATArI police have been told not to treat women as criminals if they report rape or sexual assault.

officers have also been told that pregnant women should ‘not face any accusations’.

The instructions were part of a bizarre memo from officials.

In Qatar, women are second-class citizens who can be blamed or jailed if they are attacked.

Pregnant women seeking medical services can be put under suspicion if they are not married, under Qatar’s strict morality laws.

last year a World Cup official faced 100 lashes and seven years in jail for ‘extramarital sex’, which is illegal in the Gulf state, after she reported being assaulted there.

Now the Mail has obtained a guidance document from Fifa’s security and safety operations committee describing how police should respond to various scenarios in the tournament. It tells officers:

‘Women will not face any accusations if they report rape or sexual/harassment violence.’

And for women who are pregnant and require medical care, they should be given it ‘regardless of the circumstances and will not face any accusations’.

Research has shown the risk of sexual violence rises significantly at major sporting events. In June last year, Paola Schietekat, 28, from Mexico, was working in Qatar for the World Cup organising committee when she said she was assaulted by a colleague who broke into her apartment.

But Qatari authorities accused her of having an affair and charged her with ‘extramarital sex’.

She was put in front of the man she accused and questioned for three hours. He was acquitted on charges of assault as there were ‘no cameras’ showing it. But she remained accused and chose to flee the country. In April this year the case against her was dropped.

dr Charlotte Proudman, a barrister specialising in violence against women, has been outspoken about the Gulf state, saying: ‘Shockingly, everyone has been incredibly silent on Qatar’s horrific sexual assault laws.

‘Qatar’s strict Islamic code outlaws all sexual contact between unmarried couples – making it an offence even if the woman has not consented.’

The Fifa document says people ‘displaying the rainbow or other sexual identity flags’ and those ‘displaying signs of affection’ should not be prosecuted.

It also says police should not clamp down on clothing for men or women, but anyone stripping to reveal ‘intimate body parts may be asked to put the clothing back on’.

Fans can make ‘spontaneous marches in streets and shopping malls’ and stand on ‘tables/chair/ bench and chant a fan song’ without fear of prosecution.

Even public drunkenness will be allowed – but those severely drunk may be put in a ‘sobering tent’.

Qatar’s supreme committee, which is heading up the World Cup, said it was ‘aware’ of the memo but that it had ‘not developed or approved’ the document.

It comes as police reportedly arrested four Mexican fans for carrying alcohol into their game against Poland. The Mexican embassy in Qatar said it had provided consular assistance.

Alcohol is banned in all but a few venues, and is punishable by up to six months in prison. on the eve of the tournament, Qatar announced no beer would be sold at grounds, sparking a backlash from fans.

The supreme committee has stated that ‘Qatar protects and promotes the rights of women, and this extends to all women visiting for the World Cup’.

‘Everyone has been incredibly silent’