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Moroccan gay men to be tried for violating 'public modesty' over photo Moroccan gay men to be tried for violating 'public modesty' over photo
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Two Moroccan gay men are set to go on trial for violating “public modesty” after holding each other for a photo at a historic site in Rabat, and could go to jail for up to three years.Two Moroccan gay men are set to go on trial for violating “public modesty” after holding each other for a photo at a historic site in Rabat, and could go to jail for up to three years.
Mohsine, a 25-year-old from Marrakesh, in the west of the country, and Lahcen, 38, from Rabat, were touring and taking pictures near Hassan tower, the capital’s famous minaret, earlier in June when they were arrested by the police for supposedly standing too close to each other, activists said. It is not clear if the men were in a relationship.Mohsine, a 25-year-old from Marrakesh, in the west of the country, and Lahcen, 38, from Rabat, were touring and taking pictures near Hassan tower, the capital’s famous minaret, earlier in June when they were arrested by the police for supposedly standing too close to each other, activists said. It is not clear if the men were in a relationship.
The pair are expected to appear in the court on Tuesday and if convicted, could face up to three years in jail under the country’s anti-gay laws. According to article 489 of Morocco’s penal code, homosexuality is punishable by six months to three years imprisonment.The pair are expected to appear in the court on Tuesday and if convicted, could face up to three years in jail under the country’s anti-gay laws. According to article 489 of Morocco’s penal code, homosexuality is punishable by six months to three years imprisonment.
The news of their arrest was initially announced by the state-run Al Aoula television channel, which revealed their identities and photos in public in an attempt to shame them in the eyes of the country’s conservative society.The news of their arrest was initially announced by the state-run Al Aoula television channel, which revealed their identities and photos in public in an attempt to shame them in the eyes of the country’s conservative society.
Activists condemned the move as reckless as it sparked demonstrations in front of their families’ houses. Aswat Collective, a prominent LGBT group in Morocco, told The Guardian that demonstrators shouted homophobic slurs without any intervention by watching police.Activists condemned the move as reckless as it sparked demonstrations in front of their families’ houses. Aswat Collective, a prominent LGBT group in Morocco, told The Guardian that demonstrators shouted homophobic slurs without any intervention by watching police.
Morocco’s ministry of interior has linked Mohsine and Lahcen’s arrest to a protest by the French feminist group Femen in the exact same place in Rabat one day earlier. The two topless Femen activists were arrested and immediately deported from Morocco after kissing each other in front of Hassan tower, one of the iconic landmarks of the country. The Moroccan authorities suspect that Mohsine and Lahcen were mimicking Femen’s protest act but Aswat said they have denied any connection to the group or their actions.Morocco’s ministry of interior has linked Mohsine and Lahcen’s arrest to a protest by the French feminist group Femen in the exact same place in Rabat one day earlier. The two topless Femen activists were arrested and immediately deported from Morocco after kissing each other in front of Hassan tower, one of the iconic landmarks of the country. The Moroccan authorities suspect that Mohsine and Lahcen were mimicking Femen’s protest act but Aswat said they have denied any connection to the group or their actions.
“According to police records, the detainees, while under investigation, have admitted that they are gay but they have also confirmed according to the same source that their visit to the square of the Hassan tower was for pure touristic reasons and not to imitate anyone,” Aswat said. “Detainee from Marrakech was visiting Rabat for the first time and wanted to go sightseeing with his friend. They visited several touristic places that day and took photographs at different sites before they ended up at the Hassan tower.”“According to police records, the detainees, while under investigation, have admitted that they are gay but they have also confirmed according to the same source that their visit to the square of the Hassan tower was for pure touristic reasons and not to imitate anyone,” Aswat said. “Detainee from Marrakech was visiting Rabat for the first time and wanted to go sightseeing with his friend. They visited several touristic places that day and took photographs at different sites before they ended up at the Hassan tower.”
The arrest has come at a time when the authorities in Morocco are becoming more sensitive about pro-LGBT activities as the equality debate polarises a society still heavily rooted in conservative attitudes.The arrest has come at a time when the authorities in Morocco are becoming more sensitive about pro-LGBT activities as the equality debate polarises a society still heavily rooted in conservative attitudes.
Last month, Morocco sentenced three gay people to three years in jail, the first time the authorities are known to have used the maximum sentence to punish homosexuals. This week, the latest issue of Maroc Hebdo magazine controversially asked on its cover: “Should we burn gays?”Last month, Morocco sentenced three gay people to three years in jail, the first time the authorities are known to have used the maximum sentence to punish homosexuals. This week, the latest issue of Maroc Hebdo magazine controversially asked on its cover: “Should we burn gays?”
Activists, Aswat included, have been campaigning for Morocco to abolish its article 489. Earlier in June, guitarist-bassist Stefan Olsdal from the US alternative rock band Placebo protested against the country’s anti-gay laws by writingthe number 480 on his chest as he performed on stage in Rabat. Activists, Aswat included, have been campaigning for Morocco to abolish its article 489. Earlier in June, guitarist-bassist Stefan Olsdal from the US alternative rock band Placebo protested against the country’s anti-gay laws by writing the number 480 on his chest as he performed on stage in Rabat.
Abdellah Taïa, one of the first Moroccans to come out publicly as gay who is currently living in Paris, said the recent premier of the French-Moroccan drama film Much Loved at the Cannes festival has also added to the Moroccan authorities’ sensibilities. Nabil Ayouch’s film is about the prostitution scene in Marrakesh.Abdellah Taïa, one of the first Moroccans to come out publicly as gay who is currently living in Paris, said the recent premier of the French-Moroccan drama film Much Loved at the Cannes festival has also added to the Moroccan authorities’ sensibilities. Nabil Ayouch’s film is about the prostitution scene in Marrakesh.
“The debate in Morocco is pretty much that the west is invading us socially,” Taïa told the Guardian. “But let’s not forget, that there are also people who support the LGBT community in Morocco, recently an editorial published by TelQuel magazine called for equality.”“The debate in Morocco is pretty much that the west is invading us socially,” Taïa told the Guardian. “But let’s not forget, that there are also people who support the LGBT community in Morocco, recently an editorial published by TelQuel magazine called for equality.”