Subscribe to Breaking News
Loading ...Burundi criminalizes homosexuality
04.27.2009 4:45pm EDT
(Bujumbura) Burundi has become that latest African nation to outlaw homosexuality.
The provision makes homosexuality a criminal offense with up to three years in prison and heavy fines. It has the backing of President Pierre Nkurunziza, who said Monday he will sign the legislation as soon as it reaches his desk this week.
The bill is part of a sweeping reform of the country’s criminal code that also bans capital punishment, protects women and children from all forms of violence – especially sexual violence – and toughens laws on genocide.The legislation passed Burundi’s House last year, but the Senate removed the ban on homosexuality. The ban was quietly reinstated last week and passed the upper house. Amnesty International’s Africa program director Erwin van der Borght welcomed the abolition of the death penalty in Burundi, saying that it “further strengthens the international trend towards abolition.” Burundi has now become the 93rd country in the world to abolish the death penalty for all crimes.
But he said in a statement, “this good news is undermined by the government’s decision to criminalize homosexuality, in violation of Burundi’s obligations under international and regional human rights law. It also flies in the face of Burundi’s constitution, which guarantees the right to privacy.”
Amnesty warned that the provision could result in the imprisonment of people solely for their actual or imputed sexual orientation, including private sexual relations between consenting adults.
Health organizations in Burundi have said that the new law may also limit the effectiveness of their work to curb HIV/AIDS. They have stated that the current amendment undermines attempts to ensure that people have access to voluntary counseling and testing, to information about prevention of infection and access to treatment where needed.
When will our president speak out against this trend in African countries…we are seeing it across the globe, and our country must take a stand against the horror immediately. First it is illegal, then they will segregate gays, finally they will send them to death camps – it won’t be the death penalty if it’s only applied to those evil gays.
Burund (who?, what, where?)
no doubt from Religion beliefs…
no surprise when majority of African Americans can’t grasp it, i don’t doubt those in African nations wont get it. Goes against the Machismo crap! and RELGION.
They cut your hands off and flog you in Arab countries!
I agree that Obama should speak out about this. He may not be fully behind equal marriage, but we know he supports equal rights (well, other than marriage…)*sigh*
Sorry, but I don’t expect much intelligence from Africa – so this is far from surprising. They are living in another time period and never miss an opportunity to prove to the entire world how out of touch they are. Time to call for a ban on Africa. Money (or lack thereof) is the only thing that seems to get people to take notice these days.
Truly embarassing and pathetic.
These poor African nations should be worried more about education,poverty,and doing better, than worrying about homosexuality.Why are they so Homophobic over there?There is some African tribe where the men wear makeup and act girly,can’t remember what country though.
Homophobic uncivilized savages!!
I think we should ban being African, given all the homophobia coming from Africans, be they in Africa, or African-Americans in California(prop
or in the White House(President Homophobama).
The penalty for being African should be elimination of all constitutional rights, sterilization and a free one way ticket to Burundi.
@ Rodney Moore
Sir, you are a true jack-ass.
Go straight to Burundi sir!!!
Rodney Moore Said: “I think we should ban being African, given all the homophobia coming from Africans, be they in Africa, or African-Americans in California(prop or in the White House(President Homophobama).”
Racism is not a suitable response to homophobia.
Tiger you are being intolerant of my religious beliefs. You’re a religious bigot sir. I simply believe as the Bible says, that the sons of Ham are cursed for their sins. Am I hamophobic? Not at all, they all deserve the equal rights of any other animal, which has overpopulated outlived its usefulness. We sterilize them and send them to live out their lives in a reserve.
Given Prop 8 and how the droves of African-Americans voted away gay and lesbian civil rights, I have nothing to appologize for.
Should we push for more civil liberties from the countries that we are trying to
liberate?
I am afraid that when someone like the
Presbyterian church who can’t interpret the bible as it is written; we will have a problem with them understanding God’s
will
This is a very troubling thread: intolerance on the basis of race and religion from people who have everything to gain by promoting tolerance.
Many African Americans voted against Proposition 8. Although one initial poll showed that 70% voted in favor, subsequent results contradicted that finding and showed that African Americans voted about the same as Hispanics.
Rodney,
What is it like to live in your own little world of crazy?
Sincerely,
James
I don’t really believe race has anything to do with it. It’s that most of Africa are depressed, backward, uneducated 3rd world countries with lots of superstitious religious beliefs that drive their laws. I can say however, that regardless of race I have no respect for any country that does this to its people. Sally Struthers can feed and clothe the children and all the homeless bigots all by herself though because none of these 3rd world homophobic countries will ever get any of my money. Why any gay would visit Africa on vacation is beyond me. Save your money for gay friendly destinations instead.