92% Recognize No Human Rights Framework for Saudi Arabia Sporting Events

Barcelona issued a cautionary message to its fans, advising them to exercise caution and discretion when traveling to Saudi Arabia for the team’s Spanish Super Cup semifinal.

Real Research, an online survey app, revealed that 68% of respondents were aware of the warning that was issued to Barcelona LGBTQ fans in Saudi Arabia.

Highlights:

• 92% of the respondents support the decision that there is currently no framework for people traveling to Saudi Arabia for sporting events.
• 8 out of 10 agreed that Barcelona LGBTQ fans in Saudi Arabia should be discrete and prudent when attending the Spanish Super Cup.
• Over two-thirds believe a country’s human rights record should be considered when deciding to host an international sporting event.

Fan Safety for the LGBTQ Community in Saudi Arabia

89% of the respondents (somewhat agree, 55% + strongly agree, 34%) agreed that Barcelona LGBTQ fans in Saudi Arabia should be discrete and prudent when attending the Spanish Super Cup semifinal considering the host country’s strict laws on homosexuality.

LGBTQ Rights in Saudi Arabia

Respondents were asked if they believe fans should strictly respect the customs and ways of the host country when attending international sporting events. In response to this, 68% of the respondents said yes, while 32% said no.

International Sporting Events

A survey on the LGBTQ Fan Alert for the Barcelona Game in Saudi Arabia revealed that 69% of respondents believe that when deciding to host an international sporting event, a country’s human rights record should definitely be factored in, however, 31% believe otherwise.

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Human Rights Watch

Minky Worden, director of global initiatives at Human Rights Watch, said, “This briefing serves as a reminder that there is currently no human rights framework for fans, players, journalists, or anyone else traveling to Saudi Arabia for a sporting event.” This briefing was just as crucial a warning to the Barcelona LGBTQ fans in Saudi Arabia.

92% of the respondents (strongly agree, 59.60% + somewhat agree, 32.03%) agreed with and supported the decision that there is currently no framework for people traveling to Saudi Arabia for sporting events. 6.23% somewhat disagree, and 2.13% strongly disagree with this decision.

Potential Risks Involved

Finally, Barcelona highlighted that the potential risks involve long prison sentences and severe penalties. In support of the Barcelona LGBTQ fans in Saudi Arabia, 61% of respondents said they would change their decision to attend an international sporting event if it was hosted in a country with restrictive laws on LGBTQ rights, and 39% said their decisions wouldn’t change.