Last edited: November 08, 2003


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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