“In some places, the death penalty looms as a brutally unjust punishment for LGBTI people simply being who they are”
BY DIVA STAFF, IMAGE BY PEXELS
Human rights organisation Amnesty International has announced that LGBTQIA people across Africa are facing a “catastrophic rollback on their fundamental rights” after a series of discriminatory legislation has been made across the continent. After a new briefing which looked at LGBTQIA rights across 12 countries in Africa, the organisation has documented a rise in legislation which will impact the lives of queer people.
31 countries in Africa still criminalise consensual same-sex activity, and recent years have seen an increase in already discriminatory laws. Amnesty International pointed to new legislation such as Uganda’s 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act and Kenya’s 2023 Family Protection Plan which both aim to prohibit same-sex relations.
Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Director for East and Southern Africa, said: “Africa is facing a deepening crisis of homophobic lawfare. LGBTI people across Africa are finding themselves contending with a disturbing regression of progress, facing relentless obstacles to their legal and social rights.”
“Arbitrary arrests and detentions have become all too common, with authorities treating the mere act of being an LGBTI person as a criminal offence. In some places, the death penalty looms as a brutally unjust punishment for LGBTI people simply being who they are.”
Other concerning legislation included Ghana’s proposed Promotion Of Proper Human Sexual Rights And Ghanaian Family Values Bill which is set to be one of the most stringent anti-LGBTQIA Bills on the continent. In Burundi, where same-sex relations are already criminalised, the President has recently called for citizens to stone LGBTQIA people.
Samira Daoud, Amnesty International’s Director for West and Central Africa, said: “The challenges faced by LGBTI people in Africa extend beyond the realm of legality and the abuse of law has undoubtedly heightened their vulnerability and underlines the urgent need for coordinated regional and international intervention.”
“We must advocate for their rights, and work towards a world where justice and equality prevail, regardless of one’s sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Amnesty International is calling on all African states and governments to repeal the criminalisation of LGBTQIA people and to protect their queer citizens.
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