Gay Today: World

Jamaican Students Beaten
at Northern Caribbean University

By Rex Wockner
International News Report

Four male students at Jamaica's Northern Caribbean University reportedly were beaten with wooden planks January 19 by other students who believed the victims were gay.

Six students face expulsion -- three who carried out the attack and three who knew of the planned assault and did nothing to stop it, university officials said.

"This incident only adds to the staggering number of human rights abuses meted out against persons solely on the knowledge or mere suspicion of homosexuality," commented the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG).

"While homophobic violence, including assault and murder, continues to be a source of national pride and moral satisfaction for many Jamaicans, the government and police force continue the campaign of legal exceptionalism and tacit approval of these shocking and deeply disturbing crimes against innocent citizens," the organization said.

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University President Herbert Thompson reportedly said the victims of the attack also are under investigation to determine if they are in fact gay. Homosexuality is not permitted at the university, J-FLAG quoted him as saying.

J-FLAG can be reached at jflag@hotmail.com.