REPORT REVEALS SHOCKING HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN AFRICA

Mongezi Mhlongo (BTM Reporter)

AFRICA ABROAD – 10 June 2009: Amnesty International’s 2009 Report on the state of the world’s human rights has revealed a staggering evidence of human rights violations purported against LGBTI communities in African states.

Nigeria, Uganda and Senegal, according to the report are countries that record the most and worst abuses of human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people.

It further states that in Nigeria, “human rights abuses against individuals suspected of same-sex sexual conduct continued throughout 2008.”

“Homophobia regularly resulted in violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people while authorities proved to be unable or unwilling to provide sufficient protection.”

The report also shows that Rwandan gays and lesbians face harassment and intimidation while government remains hostile towards this community. 

Although there are no specific laws criminalizing homosexual acts in Rwanda, there are provisions in the penal code that stipulate that same sex relations with persons under the age of 18 is illegal under section 362 of the penal code.

The report further notes the Rwandan National Assembly was considering an amendment which would criminalise consensual same sex sexual relationships in the Penal Code in 2007 even though this has not happened.

In Uganda, the report states that in October last year, a government minister publicly labeled homosexuality and lesbianism a disease and declared that Uganda would seek to widen the scope of its legislation criminalising homosexuality.

Some Senegalese people have, according to the report, faced arbitrary arrests, harassment and discrimination because of their suspected engagement in consensual same-sex sexual conduct.

In February last year, nine men and one woman were arrested following media reports on a party allegedly for same sex people.

The 2009 report, according to Amnesty International, provides a comprehensive global overview of the state of human rights. It reflects the organisations’ work during the past year to promote human rights and sets the agenda on tackling human rights issues in the year ahead.