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Malaysia urged to rescind ban on gay arts festival

Associated Press - November 9, 2011

Malaysia: Reverse Ban on Sexual Diversity Festival - Human Rights Watch News Release. November 8, 2011
Malaysia: Appeal to Prime Minister Najib to lift the ban on the Seksualiti Merdeka Festival - Human Rights Watch. November 8, 2011
Malaysia bans group's Islamic sex guide - Straits Times. November 3, 2011
Police ban gay arts festival in Malaysia - Jakarta Post. November 3, 2011
Malaysia court rules against student politics ban - Agence France Presse. October 31, 2011

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Human Rights Watch has urged Malaysia's government to rescind a ban on an annual gay arts festival and amend criminal laws that the group says discriminate against homosexuals.

The "Sexual Independence" festival was launched in 2008 to promote gay rights in the Muslim-majority nation. It was due to start Wednesday, but police banned the event last week following protest by politicians and some Muslim groups.

US-based Human Rights Watch said Wednesday that the ban contradicts Prime Minister Najib Razak's call to promote unity in diversity and indicates a "discriminatory, homophobic agenda" in the government.

Najib and his aides couldn't be immediately reached for comment.