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Unconfirmed reports of 30 gays arrested in Dubai
United Arab Emirates LGBT group gets reports that men arrested at hotel party may be gay
BY DAN LITTAUER (gaystarnews.com, 16-3-2012)
The United Arab Emirates Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender group has received reports that 30 people who are believed may be gay were arrested in private 'after' party last at 5am, last Friday (9 March) in the Shangri La Hotel, Dubai.
It was said the party was ambushed and all present were taken for questioning. Some of the men are reported to be from prominent Emirati families.
It is unclear at this point if the men are still in detention or have been freed, nor if any charges have been brought against them. UAE LGBT, Gay Star News or Gay Middle East have not been able to verify the details and hotel staff were cagey when questioned about the incident by us.
The United Arab Emirates has strict federal laws regarding homosexuality and each emirate has their own specific laws. While the Emirate of Dubai has technically severe laws they are usually not strictly enforced.
‘It was a private party in a private hired space where people were behaving and not even engaging in any public display of affection, so I can’t imagine why they got arrested,’ said Adilah, a lesbian member of UAE LGBT to Gay Star News.
‘The CID [police] don’t just bust private parties, either someone ratted the party out or some hotels guests or staff complained about the noise in the middle of the night, I am just shocked that this happened!’ she protested.
‘We waited a few days,’ she continued, ‘to see if it would get a note in the press. It didn’t as the authorities knew it would create uproar. We only knew that they were kept in detention for a few days, but have no idea if they are still locked up.
'Plus some of the boys are from prominent Emirati families, so something may have been arranged with the police and the press to silence this story, its very difficult to find out accurate details.’
‘My heart goes out to the boys, who must be feeling humiliated and in terror have sat or even still sitting in a cell. No one deserves to be incarcerated for being who they are, especially when it doesn't hurt anyone around them.
'This was a private party, one amongst hundreds if not thousands taking place in the UAE on a Friday night. The boys risk huge consequences and discriminations in their future careers if their names get out, not to mention the lives of some of them are at risk if their families are conservatives, as it may lead to so called “honour killings”.’
Abdulla the chair of UAE LGBT told Gay Star News: ‘As an activist This is disheartening, the government's actions towards our community are horrid and deplorable especially at a time where the public has expressed willingness to engage in a debate about the issues our community faces, just for being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender!’

Dubai Police chief denies report on 30 gays arrested at party
Homosexuality prohibited in UAE as behaviour contrary to norms, customs, traditions and religion: Lt Gen Dhahi
By Mohamad El Sidafy (emirates247.com, 19/3/2012)
Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Dubai Police’s Commander- in-Chief has denied a report that 30 homosexuals were arrested at a part at a top hotel in the emirate.
A much-read European website ran the report claiming that 30 gays were arrested at a private ‘after party’ at 5am on March 9.
Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan told Emirates 247 that this was not true.
“Homosexuals and homosexuality exists in all countries of the world, but is prohibited in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as behavior contrary to norms, customs, traditions and religion as well,” said Lt. Gen Khalfan.
The website in its report quoted one person as saying: “Either someone ratted the party out or some hotels guests or staff complained about the noise in the middle of the night, I am just shocked that this happened.”
One Dubai police officer, who asked not to be named, added “The UAE Penal Code prohibits anything that might conflict with religion, values, customs and traditions.”

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The United Arab Emirates Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender group (UAE LGBT), however, has collected first hand witness accounts which the campaigners insist prove that the party did happen and arrests did take place.
Speaking with Gay Star News, Adilah, a lesbian member of UAE LGBT said: ‘My friends were at the party and it did happen, we now know that the hotel security staff tipped off the police who then proceeded with the arrests.
'People were released the following day after signing a testimonial they would "not do it again", although two people we know of are still unaccounted for and may be still held in prison because of their sexuality.
‘If "Homosexuals and homosexuality is prohibited in the UAE as behaviour contrary to norms, customs, traditions and religion as well”, then what about drinking, live music, celebrating Christmas and Easter? Aren't those behaviours contrary to norms, customs, traditions and religion of the UAE? Or are they ok because UAE tolerates it for the sake of economy/profit?
‘And if the “The UAE Penal Code prohibits anything that might conflict with religion, values, customs and traditions,” but yet tolerates everything mentioned above for the sake of economic prosperity and touristic reputation, shouldn’t it take into consideration not to penalise homosexuals for being gay in their private settings?
‘Instead of persecuting LGBT people for leading personal lifestyles, we suggest they continue to promote no public displays of affection for both gays and straights, and hopefully the homosexuals they despise so much, but who contribute to the GDP of the UAE, can be aware of the do's and don't's in this land, just like everyone else, leading safe lives and not "offend" anyone who doesn’t necessarily lead the same lifestyle,’ she suggested.
And Abdullah, the chair of the group stated: ‘The UAE engages in behaviour that is regularly at odds with the customs and religion of the country but that is because we are a diverse multicultural country and their actions should be reflecting that.
‘Outlawing homosexuality is contradictory and homophobic and does not equal good governance. We should all be equal under the law. Their duty first and foremost should not be terrorizing our community especially when we are in a private setting.
‘Denying the reports is equally damaging as it raises a sense of panic and confusion in the community, I personally implore the lieutenant to review his statements and protect the integrity of Dubai police.’
Ali, a 25 year old law student from Dubai and member of the UAE LGBT group told Gay Star News: ‘I wish countries like the UAE would be a little less self-contradictory; at least for the sake of their own integrity if not Islam.
'If alcohol - which is prohibited - could be served to Muslims and non-Muslims alike in controlled spaces, I see no reason for the charges pressed against the two boys that may still be held in custody, whatever their private expression was, no big deal should be made of it.
‘My problem is not with the rules or the laws’, he stressed, ‘my problem is with the officials cheating themselves and more importantly their faith in order to gloss over our country's image.
'If the reason for the alcohol allowance is the diversity of people, then let it be known that a human reality is sexuality, which includes LGBT. And we deserve equal treatment.’
(gaystarnews.com, 19/3/2012)