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Oman: The situation of homosexuals, including their legal status, availability of state protection and acceptance by society

Information on the situation of homosexuals in Oman was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

Homosexuality in Oman is "illegal under Section 32 of the Penal Code, with a maximum penalty of three years' imprisonment" (The Third Pink Book 1993, 313; see also RHM 1 May 2004; IGLHRC 2003; GME n.d.).

Homosexuality is tolerated by society as long as it is not visible (The Third Pink Book 1993, 313; see also Boston Globe 27 Jan. 2003).

Additional and/or corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within time constraints.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Boston Globe. 27 January 2003. Meir Shlomo. "Democracy Shines in Israeli Elections." (Dialog)

GayMiddleEast (GME). n.d. "Oman." <http://www.gaymiddleeast.com/country/oman> [Accessed 12 Oct. 2004]

International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC). 2003. "Where Having Sex is a Crime: Criminalization and Decriminalization of Homosexual Acts." <http://www.iglhrc.org/site/iglhrc/content.php?type=1&id=77> [Accessed 14 Oct. 2004]

Reproductive Health Matters (RHM). 1 May 2004. Vol. 12. Anissa Helie. "Holy Hatred." (Dialog)

The Third Pink Book: A Global View of Lesbian and Gay Liberation and Oppression. 1993. Edited Aart Hendriks et al. Buffalo, New York: Prometheus Books.

Additional Sources Consulted

Internet sites, including: CIA World Factbook, Directory of Development Organizations, Europa World Yearbook 2004, The Free Dictionary.com, Freedom in the World, International Constitutional Law, International Lesbian and Gay Association, Law Library of Congress, Le Monde diplomatique, Middle East NGOs Gateway, Omaninfo, Oman News Agency, Oman Studies Centre for Documentation and Research on Oman and the Arabian Gulf, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Times of Oman, United Nations Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United States Department of State, World News Connection, Yearbook of International Organizations.

Oral sources: Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, International Lesbian and Gay Association.