In a development from Doha, Qatar, a Mexican-British dual national, Manuel Guerrero, has been arrested under allegations tied to his sexual orientation, sparking international concern and calls for his immediate release. The 44-year-old airline employee was detained on February 4, with his family accusing Qatari authorities of using entrapment tactics through a fake dating profile on Grindr, a popular LGBTQ+ dating app.

Guerrero's arrest has underscored the legal and societal challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in Qatar, where homosexuality is still deemed illegal. Enrique Guerrero, Manuel's brother, has vocally demanded the intervention of the Mexican government, seeking a "clear and strong statement" to secure Manuel's release. He emphasized the unacceptable nature of imprisoning someone for their sexual orientation, especially when it concerns a citizen of Mexico and Britain.

Despite being a British resident of Qatar, the responsibility of diplomatic discussions for Guerrero’s case has fallen on UK officials, as stated by the Mexican embassy in Doha. Both the Mexican foreign ministry and the British Foreign Office have pledged their support. The former committed to utilizing all resources at its disposal to protect Guerrero's rights and dignity, while the latter is providing consular assistance to the detained Briton and supporting his family.

The circumstances of Guerrero’s arrest are troubling, with allegations of police planting drugs in his apartment and forcing him to incriminate other members of the gay community in Qatar. Enrique Guerrero has shared disturbing details about his brother's treatment while in custody, including psychological torture and the deprivation of essential HIV medication. According to Enrique, who has visited Manuel twice, his brother was coerced into signing documents in Arabic, a language he does not understand, without legal representation or an interpreter. Furthermore, the Qatari government reportedly did not inform any embassies about Guerrero's detention.

Amnesty International has expressed deep concern regarding Manuel Guerrero’s detention, highlighting the broader issue of rights for the LGBTI+ community in Qatar. On social media platform X, the human rights organization called on Qatari authorities to respect the rights of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation.

This case has brought to light the stark realities and risks faced by the LGBTQ+ community in regions with stringent laws against homosexuality. As international pressure mounts, the world watches closely, hoping for a swift and just resolution to Manuel Guerrero’s ordeal.