Ethiopia proposes to make homosexual acts a non-pardonable offense
by Mercy
ADDIS
ABABA, Ethiopia — Lawmakers in Ethiopia are expected to pass into law a
bill that would make same-sex acts a non-pardonable offense.
Rainbow Ethiopia
Ethiopia’s
Council of Ministers last week endorsed the measure that would amend
the country’s Pardon and Amnesty Law that lists homosexuality along
other offenses as a non-pardonable.
According
to local sources, a vote will be called upon bill in parliament as
early as next week, and normally bills endorsed by the Council are
passed.
The
bill aims to curb the president’s power to pardon prisoners who
committed certain “crimes,” including those imprisoned for homosexuality
acts. Other offenses included in the list are corruption,
human-trafficking, smuggling, rape and terrorism.
Ethiopia’s Minister of State Getachew Bedane urged a quick vote.
“The decision to include homosexuality in this bill is simply pure ignorance on the part of the government,” said one Ethiopian gay rights activist and blogger.
“The rest of the world is decriminalizing homosexuality … because it is
now being realized that sexual orientation is a basic human right too.
It’s deeply troubling to see Ethiopia opting out of this global
consciousness.”
In Ethiopia, same-sex acts are illegal and punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
Under
its anti-advocacy law, charities and nongovernmental organizations that
receive more than 10 percent of their funding from abroad are
prohibited from participating in activities that advance human rights
and the promotion of equality.
Collectively, the laws create a dangerous environment for LGBT Ethiopians to be open about their sexual orientation or gender identity.
“Ethiopia has already very harsh anti-LGBT laws, including a 25 year imprisonment for anyone infecting another person with HIV during same-sex acts,” said a spokesperson for the advocacy group Rainbow Ethiopia, who could not be identified for fear of his family’s safety.
“The situation, however, is getting worse as it seems the government is trying to its emulate Nigeria’s and Uganda’s anti-gay laws,” he said.
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