 about botswana
official name: Republic of Botswana
capital: Gaborone
head of state: President Festus Mogae
state: Multi-party democracy
population: 1, 6 million
independence: from UK in 1966
languages: English (official) Tswana
religion: Traditional African 50%, Christian 50%
currency: Pula
media: The Botswana Gazette at and the Daily News at
http://www.gov.bw/cgi-bin/news.cgi/
legal wise
status of homosexuality: Illegal
age of consent: Not maintained
laws covering homosexual activity:
Botswana Penal Code Cap. 08:01:
164 (Unnatural offences) Any person who:
(a) has carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature
(b) has carnal knowledge of an animal
(c) permits a male person to have carnal knowledge of him or her against the order of nature
is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years.
165 (Attempt to commit unnatural offences) Any person who attempts to commit any of the offences specified in section 164 is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.
166 (Indecent assault of boys under 14) Any person who unlawfully and indecently assaults a boy under the age of 14 years is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years.
167 (Indecent practices between males) Any male person who, whether in public or private, commits any act of gross indecency with another male person, or procures another male person to commit any act of gross indecency with him, or attempts to procure the commission of any such act by any male person with himself or with another male person, whether in public or private, is guilty of an offence.
The legislature changed the law in 1998 to also apply to same-sex relations between women as well as men.
The [Botswana] Centre for Human Rights is aware of two cases where charges have been raised against individuals, however, there is not yet any conviction on these cases.
background information and government attitudes:
Homosexuality is a taboo and as such this is also reflected in the attitudes of the officials and the society at large. People do not come out publicly to declare that they are homosexuals.
ilga africa 2000 report:
Homosexuality is illegal in Botswana, and is punishable by up to seven years in prison. The Botswana Penal Code deals with homosexual acts in Cap. 08:01: 164, 165, 166, 167, making specific mention of male/male sexual acts in 167. Lesbians are now specifically mentioned in legislation and it would appear that they too are discriminated against in Botswana society. It is not known at this time if any lesbians are being prosecuted.
communication
mainline telephones: 86, 000 (1997)
cellular telephones: NA
internet country code: .bw
internet service providers: 3 (2000)
internet users: 12, 000 (2000)
botswana links and contacts
Ditshwanelo Human Rights Centre
Plot 2732 Hospital
Post bag x 00416, Gaborone
+ 267 306 998
ditshwanelo@info.bw
http://www.ditshwanelo.org.bw/
Activities: human rights advocacy, support
BONELA
Plot 50662
Medical Mews,
Fairground, Gaborone
P o Box 402958
Gaborone
Botswana
TEL: (+267) 3932516
FAX: (+267) 3932517
E-MAIL: Bonela@botsnet.bw
WEBSITE: http//www.bonela.botsnet.co.bw/
Articles:
 morama taken to south africa?
by Mask Admin 14/6/2006
BOTSWANA � June 13, 2006: The athlete did not participate at the Debswana Championships on Saturday. The question is whether Tshotlego is at liberty to make personal choices or not.
gays take cautious steps to come out in africa
by Mask Admin 24/4/2006
BOTSWANA � April 24, 2006: They slipped in the door one by one, their faces a mix of apprehension and excitement. Sensing safety, their shoulders relaxed a little; one man permitted himself an experimental giggle, a couple of women exchanged slow and sidelong glances.
the era of the homosexual article lacks analysis and is ridiculously judgemental
the era of the homosexual
by Mask Admin 25/8/2005
August 25, 2005: We have said and we will say it once again, some Botswana rags are full of demented homophobes who will pen down any gobble garbage to mask the fact that they are lazy.
ditshwanelo tsa ditabane ke ditshwanelo tsa batho bohle, or is that the case?
by Mask Admin 24/6/2005
June 24, 2005: We profile key Botswana human rights and gay-supporting organisation, Ditshwanelo, and highlight the Kanane court case which brought up questions about the criminalisation of homosexuality in Botswana.
 botswana bishops meet new pope by Mask Admin 21/6/2005
gays and lesbians of botswana by Mask Admin 1/6/2005
"i married a lesbian" a couple reveals sad details of marriage made in hell by Mask Admin 1/6/2005
the shy radical by Mask Admin 28/2/2005
is there hope in vision 2016? by Mask Admin 26/5/2004
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Jessica Stern, researcher for Human Rights Watch Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights Program
