AXE GAY SEX LAW, BURUNDI TOLD

Source: (AFP)

BURUNDI – 31 July 2009: Human Rights Watch on Thursday called on the Burundi government to reverse a law criminalising homosexuality, saying it risks worsening the harsh treatment of gays and lesbians.

Some gays and lesbians have been fired from their jobs, beaten by parents and youths in their neighbourhoods and others sent away from their homes for being homosexual, according to accounts in a report by the group.

“The government needs to listen to these voices to understand the harm it is doing to Burundians with its state-sanctioned discrimination,” said Georgette Gagnon, HRW's Africa director.

“The government should rescind this law and instead work to promote equality and understanding.”

In April, President Pierre Nkurunziza promulgated a bill that made homosexuality an offence punishable by up to two years in prison, sparking condemnation by more than 60 national and international rights groups.