Persecution of Homosexuals (Kuwait)
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Magazine sued and professor dismissed from Kuwait University for suggesting that homosexuality exists in the emirate. Famous novelist also facing obscenity charges for a book of short stories dealing with homosexuality[edit]
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In the Middle East, homosexuality is truly 'the love that dare not speak its name'. The issue of gay rights has never been raised and most gays are still very much in the closet. many live in fear of being discovered, for in a number of states, such as Iran and Saudi Arabia, homosexual acts between adults are a capital offence. Since her comments, Dr Shaoib has faced an investigation by the university authorities and hints, she claims, of her citizenship being withdrawn. Her books of short stores and poems, which cover a variety of sexual themes, are also facing prosecution. Dr Fazia Khorafi, the female president of Kuwait University, who was responsible for her dismissal, claims that homosexuality does not exist in Kuwait. "Ours is a Muslim society and homosexuality is against Islam", she says. Dr Shaoib maintains that the segregation of men and women in Muslim societies has generated a repressive sexual climate. "Sexuality is locked up and is therefore being expressed in unorthodox forms", she said in an interview. "The gay lifestyle in the West is much more healthy.
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Kathy Evans, The Guardian, March 29, 1997
Widespread arrests of over a dozen cross-dressers. Subjected to physical and psychological abuse, they remain in Tahla Prison[edit]
“The wave of arrests in the past month shows exactly why Kuwait should repeal this repressive law,” said Joe Stork, deputy director of the Middle East division at Human Rights Watch. “Kuwaiti authorities should immediately drop all charges against those arrested, and investigate charges of ill-treatment in detention.”
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On December 18, 2007, Al Watan newspaper announced the arrests of three people at a police checkpoint in Salimeya, 10 km southeast of Kuwait City. Days later, police arrested three more people at a checkpoint in Kuwait City. On December 21, security officials detained another three people on Restaurant Street in the Hawalli district, 8 km south of Kuwait City. The same day, two other people were detained at another police checkpoint. Authorities have reportedly arrested three more people in January, one in a coffee shop and two in a taxi stopped by police. Police arrested all 14 because they believed they were “imitating the appearance of the opposite sex.”
January 16, 2008
Police raid a party where homosexuals celebrate a wedding, and 28 gays are charged with "creating a public disturbance" after they met outside a fast-food restaurant[edit]
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, March 11, 2008
Police arrest two gays for committing 'immoral' acts inside a car[edit]
Arab Times, December 2, 2009
Two young cross-dressers arrested by security-men, taken to a nearby police station for interrogation and legal action[edit]
While patrolling the area, the securitymen noticed the suspicious behavior of two young girls, who were strolling around late at night. However, when the officers demanded for the identification cards of the youths, it turned they were actually young boys clad in girls’ clothes. They were taken to a nearby police station for interrogation and other necessary legal action.
Arab Times, October 25, 2011
Two lesbians who were allegedly caught making love on a beach are whisked away by police for interrogation[edit]
According to security sources the arrest came when an unidentified woman witnessed an unusual behavior among the ‘young women’ and called the Operations Department of the Ministry of Interior.
However, when police rushed to the spot they did see the women sitting side by side but did not see anything unusual. However, when another person supported the testimony of the woman who had called police, the women were whisked away for interrogation.Arab Times, November 21, 2011
Three male youths arrested in a shopping mall for cross-dressing[edit]
Apparently, the three youths were dressed like females, laughing loudly in an attempt to attract other men inside a shopping mall when some shoppers called security operatives. Upon arrival, policemen found out they were three male friends. A case was registered against them in a police station.
Arab Times, December 11, 2011
Police raid apartments and arrest five cross-dressers and four homosexuals, referring them to the authorities for committing "immoral acts"[edit]
The same police also raided a gambling ‘den’ in the area and arrested some young men and women, some of whom were under the influence of alcohol.
According to security sources the campaigns will continue against those who commit illegal acts. The sources said teenagers caught during the raids will be returned to their parents while the others will be referred to the concerned authorities.
The sources said the raids will cover coffee shops, billiards halls and all suspect apartments.
Meanwhile, an Egyptian was arrested at Kuwait International Airport for the possession of three rolls of hashish and 18 narcotic pills.Arab Times, April 19, 2012
Police arrest 10 people, four of them cross-dressers, in a raid on their apartment in Salmiya. They are now being "referred" to the "concerned authorities"[edit]
The daily quoting security sources said police acting on a tip-off raided the apartment and referred the suspects to the concerned authorities.
Arab Times, May 22, 2012
Police arrest a 20-year-old cross-dresser and referred him to the General Department for Criminal Investigation, after he was "caught" when he asked a passing patrol to help him change a flat car tyre[edit]
The suspect was caught when he asked a passing patrol to help him change a flat car tyre.
At first glance police thought it was a woman but when they checked the ID they discovered the truth.Arab Times, May 22, 2012
Morality police arrest at least 10 LGBT teenagers suspected of homosexuality for “satanic rituals” and “indecent acts” under a crackdown in the name of “morality”, another 20 men arrested for “suspicious parties”[edit]
Security sources in the country have said that the LGBT youth were targeted under “vice” claims.
PinkNews.co.uk reported that the 10 teenagers between the ages of 16- and 18-years-old were arrested on June 8 after police alleged the rituals and “indecent acts” taking place.
The Kuwaiti daily al-Rai in addition claimed that they are also “suspected of homosexuality.”
Kuwaiti police “received complaints” the group held nightly meetings in a disused building in Al-Sharq district of Kuwait city, the report said.
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Al-Rai has also reported that 20 men and one woman were arrested in the areas of Salamiya and Hawalli of Kuwait city for “suspicious parties.”
The al-Anba daily claimed the number of people arrested was 27 in several suspect apartments where they usually meet to commit “immoral activities.”
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These ‘morality campaigns’ that have greatly intensified this year are ‘continuous and relentless’, a transgender Kuwaiti activist stated.
She reported that in fact ‘many of the people arrested are just having private parties, but the police allege they were engaged in prostitution, drinking, and so called “immoral activities”.
“The laws in Kuwait allow the police to violate the principle of ‘innocent until proven guilty.’ Charges are often fabricated and thus this is essentially an assault and violation of people’s right to dignity and a fair trial,” the report added.Bikya Masr, June 10, 2012
215 young homosexuals arrested during an extensive campaign at Internet cafes and 'suspicious places'[edit]
A security source said 30 low rank officers took part in the campaign and some of the arrested persons are believed to be residence law violators and others wanted by law for committing petty crimes or on civil charges and yet others for gambling.
The violators have been referred to the authorities.Arab Times, May 14, 2013