Gay Workers Banned in Qatar
Philippine Star, November 30, 1997
POEA Overseas Employment/Travel Advisory
The fight for human rights and justice has its place in the four corners of
the world. But if the law that protects the human rights is prohibitive of the
justice sought for, human rights play as different role in a person’s life.
Such is the case of the male overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who may be
found engaging in homosexual activities in the Middle East.
The Philippine Embassy in Qatar has reported that a number of OFWs were
rounded up and “indiscriminately” arrested on the suspicion that they are
engaged in homosexual activities. Homosexuality or being gay, for that matter,
is strictly prohibited by the Islamic Law (Shariah) and culture as well as the
Qur’an (Islam’s holy scripture).
POEA has advised recruitment agencies and non-government agencies to stress
in pre-departure orientation seminars (PDOS) the importance of honoring the
host country’s laws and culture such as those they consider as immoral acts.
The Philipiine Embassy further cautioned that those found guilty of
homosexuality will be harshly dealt with by the host government. It also
reported that the Qatari government will have continuous drive against
activities of this nature.
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