Qatar
- Statute: Article 201 of the 1971 Penal Code
- Penalty: 5 years
- Restrictions:
Statute
Article 201 of the 1971 Penal Code punishes sodomy between consenting
adults (irrespective of sex) with up to five years imprisonment. (Schmitt and
Sofer – "Sexuality and Eroticism among Males in Moslem Societies")
The Pink Book states that Sharia law is applied.
"In May an American citizen was sentenced to receive 90 lashes during
a 6-month prison term for homosexual activity. However, the individual and his
family rejected a pre-trial offer of expulsion without prison or lashes in the
hope of being able to return ..." (USIS - Qatar Human Rights Practices,
1995)
In October 1997, some 36 gay Filipinos were reported deported (RW/2904)
In December 1997 the Manila daily, "Today" carried the following
report (summarised): The Philippine Embassy in Qatar has reported to the
Philippine government that the Qatari police are rounding up gay foreign
workers and deporting them based solely on their sexual orientation. Although
the number is unknown, it is increasing because of the Qatari government's
firm resolve to rid their country of gay foreigners. It is feared that the
crackdown might create a "domino effect" in neighbouring Arab
countries, with Saudi Arabia in particular reported to be considering a
similar policy. Male homosexual activity is punished with between five to ten
years in prison. There were reports of suspected homosexuals being subjected
to rectal examinations by the police to determine if they had engaged in anal
sex.
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