Swiss watch manufacturer swatches He denounced this Tuesday that the Malaysian authorities seized 164 pieces of his “Pride Collection” decorated with the rainbow flag and with a value of US $ 14,000.
The LGBT community, which includes lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, is discriminated against in Malaysia, where homosexuality is prohibited and sodomy is punished with prison terms and corporal punishment, although its application is not frequent.
The company reported that 11 shopping centers that sell watches swatches they were the targets of raids on May 13 and 14.
nick hayekCEO of SwatchGroupexpressed his dismay at the confiscation.
“We strongly question that our collection of watches in the colors of the rainbow and with a message of peace and love can be harmful“said the manager.
“This is nothing political”, said the executive.
According to an official notice delivered to one of the stores, the seizure is based on the 1984 Printing and Publication Law, which many critics describe as draconian.
This regulation is used to veto content that may offend or hinder inter-community relations in this Muslim-majority country.
A Home Office official, speaking on condition of anonymity, defended the seizure, saying the watches were imprinted with the word LGBT with a rainbow, which is one of the symbols of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. .
“Following instructions from the headquarters in Switzerland, we are going to replenish the stocks and expose them in the showcases”, declared Sarah Kok, head of marketing for Swatch Malaysia.
Source: AFP
Source: Gestion
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