Kuwait medical test for gay travellers will prevent them from entering country

Kuwait medical test for gay travellers will prevent them from entering country

Kuwait to Be Developing “Gay Test” to Prevent Homosexuals from Entering Gulf States

In a move sure to spark international controversy and intense scientific scrutiny, Kuwait has announced that it is developing a “gay test” which will allow them to detect homosexuals before they enter the country. The announcement came from their directory of public health who said the test will be adopted by all members of the Gulf Cooperating Countries (GCC) consisting of Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.

Currently, members of the GCC already have statutes forbidding the practice of homosexuality which is regarded as a sin in Islam.

“Health centers conduct the routine medical check to assess the health of the expatriates when they come into the GCC countries. However, we will take stricter measures that will help us detect gays who will be then barred from entering Kuwait or any of the GCC member states,” said Yousouf Mindkar, the director of public health at the Kuwaiti health ministry.

This new development is at odds with foreign investment initiatives currently underway with GCC members to attract international business given that if such a test were possible it would restrict freedom of travel and perhaps act as a deterrent to talented individuals who might otherwise seek business opportunities in these states.

Richard Lane, from gay rights campaign group Stonewall, told the Daily Mail: “These proposals are not only futile but contrary to international human rights law. Many Gulf states have gone to great lengths to market themselves as open for international business. Their leaders should think long and hard about putting forward measures to restrict freedom of movement and further prohibit the best talent from doing business in the region simply because of their sexual orientation.”

Lost in this controversy is the Iranian example. In 2007, Iranian strongman Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was asked about homosexuals in Iran before an audience at Columbia University. He proudly proclaimed there are no homosexuals in his state; he was roundly booed by the audience. Kuwait will likely find themselves facing intense international pressure given that any such means of barring lawful entry into the country will run afoul of international law.

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Kuwait medical test for gay travellers
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2449051/Gulf-states-introduce-medical-testing-travellers-detect-gay-people-stop-entering-country.html