Police raided a hotel earlier this month where 26 homosexuals of Asian, Arab and
UAE origin were at a party. At least 12 were dressed in women's clothes and
wearing makeup at what an official said appeared to be a wedding celebration.
Colonel Najm Al Sayar said the foreigners were likely to be deported while the
locals, who are being held in Abu Dhabi, would undergo hormonal therapy -- most
likely induced testosterone.
'They will be given psychological, medical and sociological treatment. Some of
them will be given male hormones because some actually took female hormones,'
Colonel Najm Al Sayar said.
'This kind of behaviour is immoral in our society and so we must address the
issue.'
Homosexuality is forbidden by law in most Arab states.
In Washington, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said: 'The US condemns
the arrest of a dozen same-sex couples in the UAE and a statement by the
Interior Ministry spokesman that they will be subjected to government-ordered
hormone and psychological treatment.
'The arrest of these individuals is part of a string of recent group arrests of
homosexuals in the UAE. We call on the government of the UAE to immediately
stop any ordered hormone and psychological treatment and to comply with the
standards of international law.'
Reuters
