Facts

In a speech given at the OSCE Permanent Council (Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe) to mark ‘International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia and Transphobia’, the FCDO made clear its commitment to standing ‘in solidarity’ with “LGBTI+ persons everywhere”.

A day earlier, on 17 May 2023, the FCDO published a press release outlining the signing of a joint communiqué to mark the inaugural UK-UAE Strategic Dialogue. 

Same-sex sexual activity is prohibited under the Criminal Codes of the Emirates of Abu Dhabi, which criminalises ‘unnatural sex with another person’, and Dubai, which criminalises acts of  ‘sodomy’. These provisions carry a maximum penalty of fourteen years’ imprisonment. 

Same-sex sexual activity may also be penalised under Sharia law, under which the death penalty is possible, though there is no evidence that this has been used against LGBT people. 

Trans people may also face prosecution under the Federal Penal Code 1987, which criminalises a ‘male disguising as a female’ with a maximum penalty of one year imprisonment and a fine.

Verdict

Another example of the structural dishonesty which is one of the defining  features of James Cleverly’s  FCDO. The FCDO’s claim to “stand in solidarity with LGBTI+ persons everywhere who are fighting for recognition of their human rights and fundamental freedoms” does apply in many countries. But not “everywhere” as the FCDO states.

We emailed the FCDO offering them the chance to respond. The email was received, but no reply.