Africa: A Look At Africa's Anti-Gay Laws

[theHandpuppet]

While the eyes of the world are focused on Uganda due to the recently passed anti-gay laws there (plus the violence against LGBT citizens), let's not forget that there are millions of our LGBT brothers and sisters who are suffering under terrible oppression in many countries throughout Africa. The following article, which is fairly comprehensive, is a must read for everyone interested in the global battle against LGBT persecution.

Africa: A Look At Africa's Anti-Gay Laws
By Denis Nzioka, 26 February 2014
http://allafrica.com/stories/201402281416.html

[Behind the Aegis]

1. Horrifying! (Some high (low) lights)

38 African countries criminalize homosexuality. (There are 61 countries in Africa.)

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (DRC)

The DRC has joined the league of African nations proposing for 'preserve African cultural values' by outlawing non-heterosexual practices from pornography to zoophilia to homosexuality.

NIGERIA

In May 2013, Nigeria's House of Representatives passed a Law that further criminalised homosexuality by punishing those who try to enter same-sex marriages with a possible 14 years prison term.

ZIMBABWE

Since 1995, the Zimbabwe government has carried out campaigns against both homosexual men and women.
....
It is now a criminal offense for two people of the same sex to hold hands, hug, or kiss. The "sexual deviancy" law is one of 15 additions to Zimbabwe's Criminal Code.

BOTSWANA

In November 2013, the Botswana Government was harshly criticized by human rights, sex workers rights and LGBTI groups after a new national policy draft HIV "Strategies to Address Key Populations" was said to provide for the police and immigration authorities to "arrest" local MSM and sex workers and "deport and evoke permits" of foreigners - with the authorities "even availing themselves over weekends" to enforce the crackdown.
....
However, the most surprising thing is that the Employment Act of Botswana has prohibited employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation since 2010 even though same-sex sexual acts remain illegal.

MALAWI

In November 2012, it was reported that President Joyce Banda had suspended all laws that criminalized homosexuality.
...
Surprising, the government later denied issuing the statement thus the laws that criminalise same sex acts remain in place.

LIBERIA

Lawmakers in Liberia introduced two bills in 2012 that would strengthen existing anti-gay provisions in the criminal code.

CAMEROON

Often said to be the only country in the world that 'actively' persecutes homosexual people, Cameroon occupies a unique place as the only country that has arrested more real or perceived gay persons than any other African nation.

GAMBIA

Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh said in 2008 that laws "stricter than those in Iran" against homosexuals would soon be introduced and vowed to "cut off the head" of any homosexual caught in the country. He further gave homosexuals 24 hours to leave the country.

UGANDA

Uganda's Anti Homosexuality Bill was a private member's bill by MP David Bahati in 2009 causing worldwide condemnation. Provision of the bill include the death penalty for same sex acts in certain circumstances.

[theHandpuppet]

2. Uganda's New Anti-Gay Law: Part of a Broader Trend in Africa

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/02/140228-uganda-anti-gay-law-smug-homophobia-africa-world/
Uganda's New Anti-Gay Law: Part of a Broader Trend in Africa
Homophobia is on the rise across much of the continent.

(few short excerpts)

Not Just in Uganda

The crackdown isn't restricted to Uganda. Homosexuals in Africa are under unprecedented attack. Gay rights, never strong, are being dealt severe blows.

This year a wave of anti-gay sentiment propelled by social conservatism, religious fervor, domestic politicking, and anti-West posturing has led to tough new legislation in Nigeria as well. Others will likely follow...

...Draconian as the new laws are, the awkward truth is that they're popular. And leaders will readily sacrifice gay rights in the quest for political power.

In Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan's passing of similar legislation last month was widely interpreted as a way of shoring up support ahead of elections next year and distracting attention from an Islamic insurgency spinning out of control in the north.... MORE