Gay in the Middle East

Ben Townley, Gay.com UK


Saudi Arabia has arrested more gay men, according to press reports, despite the recent criticism of its anti-gay legislation by human rights campaigners.

According to the Al-Wifaq news website, as many as 92 men were arrested last weekend as "deviants".

Many of the men are thought to be from other Arab countries, including Bahrain and Kuwait. Homosexuality is still illegal in Saudi Arabia, with those found guilty often subjected to torture, imprisonment or execution.

The arrests come after the recent killing of a gay couple accused of murdering a man who had apparently blackmailed them with threats of outing them to authorities.

Additionally, more than 100 men were arrested at an apparent gay wedding earlier this year, although those attending it rejected the accusation.

Last week, a protest was held outside the Saudi embassy in London, calling on the government to update its policy on sexual diversity.

Demonstrators also criticized the UK government for its strong ties with the regime. "Saudi Arabia is one of the world's most homophobic countries," Brett Lock from Outrage! said at the time.

"Gay people are routinely arrested, jailed, tortured, flogged and sometimes executed."

"We want EU and UN sanctions against the Saudi dictatorship. King Fahd should be arrested, taken to the International Criminal Court, and tried on charges of torture and murder. Britain and the EU should halt all trade with the murderous, homophobic Saudi tyranny."

Human rights, gay rights! Stop the Saudi killers!” chanted 25 lesbian and gay activists outside the Saudi Arabian Embassy in London yesterday.

The London protest was one of hundreds of protests that took place in more than 40 countries to mark the first International Day Against Homophobia.

“Saudi Arabia is one of the world's most homophobic countries. Gay people are routinely arrested, jailed, tortured, flogged and sometimes executed,” said protest co-organiser Brett Lock of OutRage!

“We want EU and UN sanctions against the Saudi dictatorship. King Fahd should be arrested, taken to the International Criminal Court, and tried on charges of torture and murder. Britain and the EU should halt all trade with the murderous, homophobic Saudi tyranny.

“In March, 105 men were arrested after allegedly attending a gay wedding. Thirty-five have been sentenced to floggings. Some are being punished with up to 2000 lashes, which can be fatal. All 105 men have been sentenced to a year’s jail, where they are likely to suffer torture and rape.

”Saudi Arabia’s unelected leaders enforce a fundamentalist version of Islam. They impose the death penalty for homosexuality. Several gay Muslims have been beheaded in recent years”, said Lock.

His colleague, David Allison, also of OutRage!, expressed concern that Ken Livingstone has failed to back the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO).

“The Mayor of London failed to support the International Day Against Homophobia,” said Allison.

“Repeated requests to Ken’s office were ignored. In contrast, the Mayors of Paris, Berlin and many other cities are backing IDAHO. Why isn’t Ken giving the gay community support on this very important day in the gay calendar?”, queried Allison.

“Despite terrorising gay people, and denying rights to women and religious minorities, Saudi Arabia’s fundamentalist regime enjoys friendly relations with the UK and the US. Tony Blair and George Bush sell weapons to the Saudi torturers and murderers.

”It is time the Saudi butchers were named, shamed and isolated,” urged Mr Allison.