 about ethiopia
official name: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
capital: Addis Ababa
head of state: Prime Minister Meles Zenawi
state: multi party democracy
population: 73,053,286
languages: Amharic, Tigrinya, Oromigna, Guaragigna, Somali, Arabic, other local languages, English
religion: Muslim 45%-50%, Ethiopian Orthodox 35%-40%, animist 12%, other 3%-8%
currency: birr (ETB)
media: NA
legal wise
status of homosexuality: illegal
age of consent: 15
laws covering homosexual activity: Sections 600 and 601 prohibit homosexual acts between men and between women, with a penalty of 10 days to 3 years' "simple imprisonment". This penalty may be increased by 5 or more years when the offender "makes a profession of such activities", or exploits a dependency relation in order to excercise influence over the other person. The maximum sentence of 10 years' imprisonment can be applied when the offender uses violence, intimidation or coercion, trickery or fraud, or takes unfair advantage of the victim's inability to offer resistance. The maximum sentence can also be applied when the victim is subjected to acts of cruelty or sadism; when the offender transmits a venereal disease although fully aware of being infected with it; when an adult is charged with committing homosexual acts with persons under 15 years of age; or when distress, shame or despair drives the victim to committing suicide.
background information and government attitudes: 1 lesbian is known to have been granted asylum in 1995 by the US (IGLHRC AP)
Ethiopia voted against ILGA having consultative status at the UN in January and on April 30, 2002. Berhane Meskel Abebe, the Ethiopian representative on the UN Committee on Non-Governmental Oganisations, said his country voted against ILGA in january because homosexuality is a crime punishable by imprisonment in Ethiopia. "It doesn't go with our society's belief and general culture and practice." He is reported to have said.
In Ethiopia today, the government's accountability to the people is minimal, as is the ability of citizens to register a voice as public policies are being considered and programmes implemented. Civil liberties are respected on a haphazard basis. Rule of law is more rhetorical than real. The country benefits from the fact that large-scale corruption has not become ingrained, but the lack of transparency threatens that advantage.
� The recent less fair elections have drowned the hopes of many for participatory government and national progress, and have perhaps even fanned the flames of resistance.
From Freedom House's Countries at the Crossroads: 2005 A Survey of Democratic Governance www.freedomhouse.org/research/crossroads/2005/ethiopia2005.pdf
communication
main lines in use: 435,000 (2003)
cellular telephones: 97,800 (2003).
Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 0, shortwave 1 (2001).
Television broadcast stations: 1 plus 24 repeaters (2002).
Internet hosts: 9 (2003).
Internet users: 75,000 (2003).
links and contacts
NA
Articles:
 an ethiopian human rights activist raises the profile of gay rights on campus
by Mask Admin 22/6/2005
June 22, 2005: Senior Leoule Goshu has overcome many obstacles in life. Having left his abusive parents for a life on the streets, he is now a full-time student at the UW and was director of the GBLTC. Leoule Goshu endured depression, domestic violence and homelessness - all before he turned 22.
public display of male-to-male affection not to be confused with acceptance of homosexuality
by Mask Admin 14/6/2005
June 14, 2005: In Ethiopia, like in South Africa and other African countries, it is not unusual to see two men walking down the street holding hands. But an Ethiopian contact warns those not familiar with the homophobic attitude of Ethiopian society not to be fooled by this.
ethiopian gays are organizing themselves in washington d.c.
by Mask Admin 20/5/2005
May 20, 2005: For a group of Ethiopians drives away from their country because of homophobic attacks, refuge in foreign lands need not be an isolated experience as the turn to the net.
we are gay and ethiopian
by Mask Admin 7/1/2005
January 7, 2005: Discussions among Ethiopians in an online group have recently centred on whether or not being gay is Ethiopian - Melakam Yegena Bale argues that one can be both and that civil rights for gays could benefit straights too..
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Cathy Crimmins, author of How the Homosexuals Saved Civilization
