police hunt lesbian killer

The Independent (Freetown)

October 12, 2004: Police in Sierra Leone say they are hunting the killer of a Sierra Leonean Lesbian girl.

Fanny Ann Eddy, was founder of the Sierra Leone Lesbian and Gay Association in Sierra Leone.

The 30-year-old Eddy, was found dead on the morning of September 29 this year. While she was working in the Sierra Leone Lesbian and Gay Association's office, the previous night, her assailants apparently broke into the premises, raped her repeatedly, stabbed her and broke her neck.

"Fanny Ann Eddy was a person of extraordinary bravery and integrity, who literally put her life on the line for human rights," says Scott Long, director or the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights Project at Human Rights Watch in New York. He adds: "Again and again, within her country's borders and beyond, she drew attention to the harassment, discrimination and violence lesbian and gay people face in Sierra Leone. Now, she has been murdered in the offices of the organization she founded, and there is grave concern that she herself has become a victim of hatred."

Fann Eddy was founder of the Sierra Leone Lesbian and Gay Association in 2002. Lesbianism and Homosexuality are an anathema to the general Sierra Leonean society. But Eddy and her group provided social and psychological support to her colleagues. It is reported that Eddy had been lobbying government ministers to address the health and human rights needs of homosexuals and lesbians.

There has been no report of any arrest but police say they are still investigating. The number of murders in post-war era is rising at an alarming rate across the country. "Mystery deaths" have also become prevalent which are sometimes attributed to superstition. Among those who lost their lives mysteriously in rent times is Arthur Pratt a radio broadcaster who was found dead with his children, niece, wife , maid and a pastor who went to pray for the family.