Anti-Gay Bahrain

The gay population is on the rise in Bahrain, according to lawmakers, who have been demanding of the government to take action in this regard.

The lawmakers warned of the negative effects of the increase in the number of gays on the social stability in Bahrain.

They called through a proposal tabled by five MPs and approved by the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security to find mechanisms to tackle the issue at the earliest.

Bahrain has witnessed lately increase in the number of homosexual Bahrainis and non-Bahrainis, especially Thai and Pilipino expatriates who are working in gents salons, MP Mohammed Khalid said.

The government, through the Minister of Interior Lt-Gen. Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa denied the MPs' accusations and said: Individual cases do exist in Bahrain and they are dealt with according to the laws and regulations, but we cannot consider them as an issue that should be tackled. The minister said that authorities have been deporting expatriates who violate the kingdom's laws and religious values.

Bahrain's gay community and human rights activists were furious over a parliamentary campaign to stamp out homosexuality.

MPs are demanding the Interior Ministry stop granting residence permits to foreign homosexuals and that it deports any that are already here, as soon as they are detected.

They also called for regular inspections to root out homosexuals at massage parlours, health clubs and hair salons. The MPs also want monitoring in schools and for pupils who veer towards homosexuality.

One gay man, who was once married, said MPs seemed to have a misconception that homosexuals are perverse and dirty. He said some homosexuals had given the gay world a bad image by selling their bodies and preying on young boys: They must separate respectable gays and those from Thailand and the Philippines who are prostitutes and paedophiles . [Talk of the pot calling the kettle black!]

Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society regional and international relations director Faisal Fulad said that while Bahrain's tradition and religion should be respected, the parliament proposal was illogical and out of date for modern times: In the modern world it's normal, it's not a disease - many homosexuals are lawyers, doctors and ministers. Punishment never cures society, it should be through education and awareness in the family.

A Thai Embassy spokesman said homosexuality was globally accepted and it was against human rights to discriminate against gays: Everything has to abide by human rights and international law and Bahrain has signed the agreements .

Bahrain MPs have voted to ban pork as part of a new tranche of sharia laws.

They approved amendments to the Penal Code that including:

• Criminalising the sale, import, export, production and possession of all pork products. Anyone who defied the pork ban would face up to two months in jail or a fine of up to BD300 ( £ 530), or both.
• three-month jail sentences or fines of up to BD300, or both, for anyone caught gambling. If the offence was repeated within 12 months, the sentence would be up to a year in jail or a fine of BD500, or both.
• Offering gambling would be punished with up to six months in jail or a fine of up to BD500, or both, and if repeated within 12 months the sentence would be no less than a year in jail or a fine of no less than BD1,000, or both.
• Those found drunk in public places or cause disruption while drunk would be sentenced to up to three months in jail or fined up to BD300, or both. If the offence is repeated, the punishment would be no less than three months or a fine of between BD200 and BD1,000, or both.
• Prostitution, sodomy and adultery could be punished with up to five years in jail for those aged over 21.
• Meanwhile, those who publicly say, shout or speak profanity or send messages or broadcasts through any means could be jailed for up to two years or fined up to BD200, or both.
• Those who encouraged prostitution would be jailed for up to a year. Encouraging prostitution in public places could carry up to two years in jail or a fine not exceeding BD1,000, or both.

The amendments will now go to the Shura Council for review after the summer recess.