About Mozambique
 official name: Republic of Mozambique
capital: Maputo
head of state: President Armando Guebuza
prime minister: Luisa Diogo (2004)
state: multi party democracy
population: 19,686,505
independence: from Portugal in 1975
languages: Portuguese (official)
religion: indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%
currency: metical (MZM)
media: NA
Legal Wise
status of homosexuality: illegal
age of consent: NA
laws covering homosexual activity: Sections 70 and 71of the Penal Code criminalize male homosexuality with a penalty of up to 3 years' imprisonment in a "re-education institution" where hard labour is used to alter the prisoners "aberrant behaviour".
background information and government attitudes:
Mozambique's constitution and legal framework establish safeguards for all citizens' civil rights and liberties, but the treatment of individuals who are arrested or detained remains a concern. In addition, prison conditions are substandard, and trafficking of children and women has increased.
From Freedom House's Countries at the Crossroads: 2005 A Survey of Democratic Governance www.freedomhouse.org/research/crossroads/2005/mozambique2005.pdf
Communication
main lines in use: 69,700 (2004)
cellular telephones: 1.22 million (2005)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 13, FM 17, shortwave 11 (2001).
Radios: 730,000 (1997).
Television broadcast stations: 1 (2001).
Televisions: 67,600 (2000).
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 6,985 (2006)
Internet users: 138,000 (2005)
Articles:
 first national seminar on gay rights
by Mask Admin 12/10/2006
MOZAMBIQUE October 12, 2006: The chairperson of the Mozambican Human Rights League (LDH), Alice Mabota, on Thursday urged the country's gay and lesbian citizen to organise and fight for their rights.
gay rights raised in mozambican paper
by Mask Admin 11/7/2006
MOZAMBIQUE July 10, 2006: For the first time, a mainstream Mozambican paper has published an article by a prominent Mozambican journalist arguing in favour of gay rights.
religious leaders on aids and gays
by Mask Admin 31/5/2004
May 31, 2004: The Agencia de Informacao de Mocambique in Maputo reported recently on the homophobic ranting of an Islamic cleric that formed part of a debate on Aids. Clearly disapproving of the cleric's views, the report also takes a side swipe at some Christian leaders too.
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Gay rights activist Peter Tatchell on Mugabe
