Routine clinical screenings may be used to ‘detect’ homosexuals and bar them from entering Kuwait and other Gulf member states, according to a top Kuwaiti official.
A central committee tasked with the status of expatriates is set to view the proposal on November 11.
COOPERATION COUNCIL FOR THE ARAB STATES OF THE GULF
The Charter
Being fully aware of the ties of special relations, common characteristics and similar systems founded on the creed of Islam which bind them; and
Desiring to effect coordination, cooperation and integration between them in all fields; and,
Having the conviction that coordination, cooperation, and integration between them serve the sublime objectives of the Arab Nation; and,
Having the conviction that coordination, cooperation, and integration between them serve the sublime objectives of the Arab Nation; and,
In pursuit of the goal of strengthening cooperation and reinforcement of the links between them; and
In an endeavour to complement efforts already begun in all essential areas that concern their peoples and realize their hopes for a better future on the path to unity of their States; and
In conformity with the Charter of the League of Arab States which calls for the realization of closer relations and stronger bonds; and
In order to channel their efforts to reinforce and serve Arab and Islamic causes,
Have agreed as follows:
“Health centers conduct the routine medical check to assess the health of the expatriates when they come into the GCC countries,” Yousuf Mindkar, the director of public health at the Kuwaiti Health Ministry stressed.
“However, we will take stricter measures that will help us detect gays, who will be then barred from entering Kuwait or any of the GCC member states,” he added, quoted by a local daily Al Rai.
List of GCC Countries:The GCC consists of six members:
- The Kingdom of Bahrain - Its 1.2 million people enjoy a GDP per capita of $40,500. Its economy grew 4.5% in 2010.
- Kuwait - Its population is double that of Bahrain. They enjoy the 10th highest standard of living ($48,900 per person). The country holds 9% of the world's oil reserves.
- The Sultanate of Oman - Its dwindling oil reserves means it's increasingly relying on tourism to improve the lifestyle of its 3 million residents.
- Qatar - The richest country in the world, with a GDP per capita of $179,000 for its 848,000 residents. It has 25 billion barrels of proven oil reserves and 14% of the world's natural gas reserves.
- The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - The largest of the GCC countries (26 million people) has 20% of the world's proven oil reserves. Its GDP per capita is only $24,200.
- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) - Its 5.1 million people enjoy a per capita GDP of $49,600 thanks to a diversifying economy that includes Dubai and the world's tallest building, the Burj Dubai Khalifa.
He did not indicate what measures - or how physically intrusive - these might be.
Homosexual acts are banned in the country, and the prison term for them can be up to 10 years if the people involved were under the age of 21.
In 2010, Kuwait banned the screening of a controversial Egyptian film, saying that it promoted a culture of debauchery, Gulfnews.com reported.
The movie was made in 2009 and addressed lifestyles centering on drug use by young people, and lesbianism, a taboo subject in Arab cinema and society.
A member of the censorship board said that some of the scenes were “too hot” and that the lesbianism theme was “too bold.” The member stressed that the scenario was very weak and failed to address the controversial issues properly.
The situation doesn’t differ much in other Arab states in the region: Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Five countries actually mete out the death penalty to gay people – Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Yemen and Mauritania.
In Bahrain, lawmakers push for a crackdown on homosexuals, including the adoption of tougher immigration measures and deportations. http://rt.com/news/homosexuals-kuwait-banned-gays-887/
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