A top minister in Mandalay threatened to lock up and “educate” gay men after condemning homosexuality as “unacceptable” in parliament on Wednesday.
Myint Kyu, the Border and Security Affairs minister, said he intended to mimic homophobic policing of the past, cracking down on LGBT couples caught in “inappropriate” displays of affection, especially around the moat area (pictured).
He was responding to a question raised by lawmaker Tin Tin Mar who alleged that “disgraceful” gay people fuelled crime in the city, according to a report by the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB).
Homosexual sex is outlawed in Myanmar by a colonial-era penal code, and carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
But activists say authorities use different legislation, the so-called “darkness law” to crack down on LGBT couples as well as sex workers.
Mandalay police were in 2013 said to have locked up, beaten and humiliated LGBT residents. The officers alleged to be responsible were never punished.
Aung Myo Min, the founder of Equality Myanmar, told DVB he was worried that Wednesday’s speech could fuel further police brutality.
“I’m worried about these homophobic actions and plans against homosexual people in Mandalay because police will target the LGBT group under the guise of the rule of law,” he said.
Photo / Michael Gunther / Wikicommons
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