Rights groups slam Malaysian gay-cure camp

Apr 21, 2011, 7:52 GMT

Kuala Lumpur - Human rights groups have slammed a state-run boot camp in Malaysia set up to cure teenage boys of effeminate behaviour.

Education authorities in the north-eastern state of Terengganu claimed the four-day 'self-development course,' held for the first time this month, was aimed at the boys' mannerisms, not their sexual orientation.

But rights groups and commentators said the initiative promotes homophobia in the mainly Muslim nation and contravenes child protection laws.

Sixty-six male students, aged 13 to 17, were selected by authorities from the state's government schools for participation in the first session.

Organizers said all those selected were given the choice of whether to participate.

'This is a character-building programme,' state education director Razali Daud was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times daily. 'We hope the students will emerge stronger physically and mentally after attending the camp.'

Rights groups have attacked the camps as a persecution of the adolescents for their sexual identities.

'The boys in this case have been denied and persecuted for the expression of their personalities and identities,' said the Joint Action Group for Gender Equality, a rights group.

'Ideally, school is supposed to provide a safe and neutral space for children to develop without fear of recrimination for being themselves,' the group said in a statement.

Women and Family Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil also slammed the move, saying the camp must be abolished on the basis that it was harmful to the interests of children.

'Every child is entitled to protection and assistance in all circumstances without regard to distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, social origin or physical, mental or emotional disabilities or any other status,' she said.

The camp's organizers denied the charge of persecution, saying that camper teenagers had not been singled out. The first batch of students simply 'happened to display some feminine characteristics,' Razali was quoted as saying.

An education department official said Thursday that despite the public outcry, plans were under way for similar programmes in the near future.

'This camp is good for the students, and there will be many more such programmes,' said the official, who declined to be named because he was not permitted to speak to the press.

Apart from religious classes, the boys participated in activities such as paintball, jungle trekking and marching.

'These boys were without many friends before, but chances are, after the camp, they will be much stronger and emerge with a higher level of self-confidence,' Razali said.

Razali was earlier quoted in local reports as saying the boys would encounter 'problems' in their adulthood unless their feminine ways were curtailed.

Gay sex, even consensual, is illegal in Malaysia and carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and whipping.

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