Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ABUDHABI4881
2005-11-29 15:40:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:
UAEG BACKS AWAY FROM THREAT TO IMPOSE HORMONE
how-tonull Diana T Fritz 08/27/2006 05:13:32 PM From DB/Inbox: Search Results Cable Text: UNCLAS ABU DHABI 04881 SIPDIS CXABU: ACTION: POL INFO: PAO DCM MEPI RSO P/M AMB ECON DISSEMINATION: POL CHARGE: PROG APPROVED: AMB:MSISON DRAFTED: POL:RBASIL CLEARED: POL JMAYBURY, CG JDAVIS VZCZCADI919 PP RUEHC RUEHZM RUEHDE DE RUEHAD #4881 3331540 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 291540Z NOV 05 FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2582 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI 5599
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 004881
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR DRL, NEA/PI, NEA/ARPI
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM KISL AE
SUBJECT: UAEG BACKS AWAY FROM THREAT TO IMPOSE HORMONE
THERAPY ON ARRESTED HOMOSEXUALS
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 004881
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR DRL, NEA/PI, NEA/ARPI
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM KISL AE
SUBJECT: UAEG BACKS AWAY FROM THREAT TO IMPOSE HORMONE
THERAPY ON ARRESTED HOMOSEXUALS
1. (U) As widely reported in the local and international
media, on November 23 the Abu Dhabi Police arrested 26
allegedly gay men who had gathered at an Abu Dhabi hotel for
a party. The men were arrested on a tip by UAE nationals to
police, according to the press. For several days the local
media featured statements attacking homosexuality and the
threat posed to society; among the statements was an
assertion by an Interior Ministry official that the men could
be subjected to "hormone therapy." According to today's
press, the UAE Interior Ministry spokesman has now disavowed
these statements.
2. (U) According to the Interior Ministry official originally
quoted in the media, the men were transferred to the
Ministry,s Social Support Center and would undergo "physical
and psychological therapy" after their trial. Following
their arrest, the Arabic edition of Dubai-based "Emirates
Today" ran a photo of the men, who are UAE nationals, Arabs
and Asians. On November 29, the press reported that the
policeman suspected of distributing the photo to the press
had been arrested in conjunction with the publication of the
photo.
3. (U) According to the UAE penal code, the accused could be
charged with committing an indecent act, prostitution, and
adultery. (Note: In 2004, Sharjah and Fujairah Police
arrested a group of gays at a party, who were subsequently
lashed and released. There were no reports that the latter
underwent any hormone treatment. End note.)
4. (U) The press quoted the Minister of Justice, Islamic
Affairs, and Awqaf saying that UAE society does not accept
homosexuality. "There will be no room for homosexual and
perverted acts in the UAE," he added. A UAE University
professor labeled homosexuals "disciples of Satan." An
Islamic scholar was quoted as saying that according to
Islamic Shari'a laws, "a man who has intercourse with another
man should be executed."
5. (SBU) Comment: Although UAE society officially rejects
homosexuality for cultural and religious reasons, and
considers discussion about it taboo, it is worth noting the
extensive coverage the incident has received in the UAE,s
English and Arabic press. Media coverage also suggests that
the government, press, and public were not prepared to hold
open dialogue on such a sensitive and controversial issue.
SISON
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR DRL, NEA/PI, NEA/ARPI
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM KISL AE
SUBJECT: UAEG BACKS AWAY FROM THREAT TO IMPOSE HORMONE
THERAPY ON ARRESTED HOMOSEXUALS
1. (U) As widely reported in the local and international
media, on November 23 the Abu Dhabi Police arrested 26
allegedly gay men who had gathered at an Abu Dhabi hotel for
a party. The men were arrested on a tip by UAE nationals to
police, according to the press. For several days the local
media featured statements attacking homosexuality and the
threat posed to society; among the statements was an
assertion by an Interior Ministry official that the men could
be subjected to "hormone therapy." According to today's
press, the UAE Interior Ministry spokesman has now disavowed
these statements.
2. (U) According to the Interior Ministry official originally
quoted in the media, the men were transferred to the
Ministry,s Social Support Center and would undergo "physical
and psychological therapy" after their trial. Following
their arrest, the Arabic edition of Dubai-based "Emirates
Today" ran a photo of the men, who are UAE nationals, Arabs
and Asians. On November 29, the press reported that the
policeman suspected of distributing the photo to the press
had been arrested in conjunction with the publication of the
photo.
3. (U) According to the UAE penal code, the accused could be
charged with committing an indecent act, prostitution, and
adultery. (Note: In 2004, Sharjah and Fujairah Police
arrested a group of gays at a party, who were subsequently
lashed and released. There were no reports that the latter
underwent any hormone treatment. End note.)
4. (U) The press quoted the Minister of Justice, Islamic
Affairs, and Awqaf saying that UAE society does not accept
homosexuality. "There will be no room for homosexual and
perverted acts in the UAE," he added. A UAE University
professor labeled homosexuals "disciples of Satan." An
Islamic scholar was quoted as saying that according to
Islamic Shari'a laws, "a man who has intercourse with another
man should be executed."
5. (SBU) Comment: Although UAE society officially rejects
homosexuality for cultural and religious reasons, and
considers discussion about it taboo, it is worth noting the
extensive coverage the incident has received in the UAE,s
English and Arabic press. Media coverage also suggests that
the government, press, and public were not prepared to hold
open dialogue on such a sensitive and controversial issue.
SISON