"The entrapment and conviction of a Vietnamese gay couple in Malaysia shows that country is not a safe place for LGBTIQ travellers." - Brian Greig
The Australian foreign affairs department should immediately issue a travel warning for Malaysia following the entrapment and conviction of a gay couple in Penang.
The call from national LGBTIQ rights advocacy organisation, just.equal, comes after two Vietnamese men travelling in Malaysia were entrapped, arrested, convicted and fined for consenting private sexual activity (news report here: https://bit.ly/2QTI9wO).
Just.equal spokesperson, Brian Greig, said,
"It is the Australian Government's duty to warn LGBTIQ Australians when their safety may be endangered by the repressive policies of a foreign country."
"The entrapment and conviction of a Vietnamese gay couple in Malaysia shows that country is not a safe place for LGBTIQ travellers."
"Reports that Malaysian authorities orchestrated a sting operation to entrap a gay couple are particularly concerning."
"LGBTIQ travellers planning a visit to Malaysia should be warned to reconsider their travel plans."
"Because Malaysia is a growing hub of international commerce and tourism this case should be of concern to governments around the world."
"This incident is an example of growing intolerance towards LGBTIQ people in the Asia / Pacific to which the Australian Government must have a stronger, long-term response."
Mr Greig said Smart Traveller has a history of defining criminalisation of homosexuality under "culture" and not updating travel advice significant to LGBTIQ Australians.
Under laws inherited from British colonial times, Malaysia punishes oral sex between heterosexual partners and all sexual activity between men with a maximum gaol term of twenty years.
For a news report on the conviction: https://bit.ly/2QTI9wO
Fo this statement on thw web, click here
For more information contact Brian Greig on 0407 776 961.
