BarcelonaIn recent days several artists have refused to perform at the World Cup in Qatar due to human rights violations in the country. There is one singer, however, who has had no problem participating in the sporting event: Maluma. In addition to accepting Qatar’s invitation, the Colombian seems unwilling to accept criticism for acting in a country that does not respect human rights. He made it clear by leaving an interview halfway through a question about this issue.
During an interview with Israeli Kann TV, as can be seen in the attached video below, journalist Moav Vardi asks Maluma if he feels comfortable singing in a country where human rights violations are common. “Shakira and Dua Lipa have refused to play in this World Cup because of Qatar’s poor human rights record. Obviously, people are asking: Maluma, you don’t have a problem with human rights violations in this country ?”, asks the journalist. The Colombian defends that it is a question that he cannot solve. “I just came here to enjoy life, football and the football party. It’s not something I have to get involved in. I’m here enjoying the music and the beautiful life, and playing football too” , he says
Faced with such a vague answer, the journalist insists on pointing out that the public might think he is whitewashing Qatar’s politics. The singer, very upset, refuses to answer and a few seconds later he removes the microphone, gets up and leaves the interview. In addition, he accuses the interviewer of being rude. The journalist, resigned to Maluma’s attitude, reminds the singer that the question he has asked him is of interest to the public.
Although much focus has been put on the artists who have refused to perform in Qatar, the truth is that there are a handful of singers who have agreed to participate in the World Cup. In addition to Maluma, another of the international stars who will perform there is the British Robbie Williams, who in the last few hours has defended his decision. The former member of Take That says that not singing in Qatar would be “hypocritical”. “I don’t accept any kind of abuse anywhere, but if we couldn’t perform in every country that doesn’t respect human rights, I couldn’t even perform in my kitchen,” argues the singer ofAngels.
The Qatar World Cup music line-up also includes J.Balvin, Black Eyed Peas, David Guetta, Nicki Minaj, Craig David and Omar Montes, among others.
