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Warning for gay travellers to Fiji

Tue 5 Jul 2005 In: International News

A rise in homophobia and violence against gay holidaymakers in Fiji has caused the British Foreign Office to warn lesbian and gay tourists visiting the island to take extra care. The warning comes after the high-profile arrest and prosecution of an Australian tourist last year and the rising tension caused by repercussive protests. The Australian citizen was jailed for two years for having sex with a local man. The Australian government has formally protested the arrest, and claim that Fiji's laws regarding sexuality are discriminatory. International civil rights groups are asking for more foreign governments to intervene by officially warning gay and lesbian tourists against travel to Fiji. They are also pushing the Fiji government to update its laws regarding sexuality. Since the Australian man's arrest and sentence became a topic of high-profile controversy, reported incidents of verbal and physical attacks on gay tourists and sex workers on the island have seen a sharp increase. Lawyers for the jailed man are due to submit an appeal later this month.    

Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff

First published: Tuesday, 5th July 2005 - 12:00pm

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