See also:
» 11.10.2010 - Congo rapes suspected Rwandan rebel arrested
» 02.03.2010 - Rights groups call for suspension of Lieutenant
» 15.02.2010 - Children still recruited into DRC’s war ranks
» 02.02.2010 - Scores slaughtered by rebels in DRC
» 27.01.2010 - UN agency working with 100,000 DRC refugees
» 06.01.2010 - Kabila kicks out corrupt civil servants
» 14.12.2009 - Security Council should intervene – HRW says
» 08.12.2009 - Arms and minerals’ smuggling still rife in DRC, report











China wholesale online through DHgate.com


Houlihan's coupons


Finn autentiske matoppskrifter fra hele verden på Verdensmat.no:
Gazpacho Børek Kartoffelsalat Taboulé Gulasj Albóndigas Cevapi Rougaille Japrak sarma Zwiebelbrot Klopse Giouvetsi Paella Pljeskavica Pica pau Pulpo a la gallega Flammkuchen Langosj Tapenade Chatsjapuri Pasulj Lassi Kartoffelpuffer Tortilla Raznjici Knödel Lentejas Bœuf bourguignon Korianderchutney Brenneslesuppe Proia Sæbsi kavurma Sardinske calamares


Autentiske matoppskrifter fra hele verden finner du på Verdensmat.no:
Réunion Portugal Aserbajdsjan Serbia Tyskland Seychellene Bosnia Spania Libanon Belgia India Kroatia Hellas Italia Ungarn Komorene Georgia Mauritius Østerrike Romania Frankrike


Congo Kinshasa
Society | Gay - Lesbian

Congo Kinshasa discusses criminalising gays

The Congolese parliament, Kinshasa

© Radio Okapi/afrol News
afrol News, 29 October
- The Kinshasa parliament is in the process of discussing legislation that will prohibit homosexuality, or "unnatural sexual practices." But the debate climate in Congo is much calmer than in neighbouring Uganda.

According to reports in the government-close Kinshasa newspaper 'La République', Congolese MP Ejiba Yamapia is currently gathering support for a bill formulated by him that would forbid certain "unnatural sexual practices," including same-sex relations.

Congo Kinshasa (DRC), along with most Central and West African nations, does not have any legislation regarding the country's sexual minorities. This is mostly due to the fact that homosexuality is an issue not known to the general population, as same-sex relations typically find other manifestations in traditional cultures.

However, according to pro-gay activists in the region, the loud anti-homosexuality debate in neighbouring countries such as Uganda has also been noted in Kinshasa, with local politicians taking interest in the "exotic" issue.

Deputy Yamapia told 'La République' that his proposal would imply some minor changes to the Congolese penal code, including "unnatural sexual practices" such as same-sex and man-animal relations as illegal and "immoral" conduct. Mr Yamapia foresees prison penalties and fines for practicing homosexuals.

The deputy says that he has gathered increased support for his proposal to criminalise homosexuality, "especially among female deputies" in the Kinshasa parliament. The deputies agreed that homosexuality was "contrary to African culture," agreeing with statements by leading politicians in countries like Zimbabwe, Malawi, Uganda and Kenya.

However, Mr Yamapia is also finding resistance to his proposal in the Kinshasa parliament. 'La République' reports that several MPs strongly opposed criminalising homosexuality as this would "violate individual freedoms dearly proclaimed by the Constitution and goes against the current trend" of wider individual and human rights in the DRC.

Contrary to media in neighbouring East Africa, Congo's 'La République' reported about the proposal to criminalise homosexuality in a balanced way. The newspaper took note of arguments favouring and discouraging the new legislation. It also took note of the fact that "the current global trend is towards tolerance towards sexual practices" that were considered "immoral" among most Congolese.

The newspaper concluded that, if approved, the implementation of the law would be difficult and questionable, because it "aims to punish the behaviour of individuals usually done in private."


- Create an e-mail alert for Congo Kinshasa news
- Create an e-mail alert for Society news
- Create an e-mail alert for Gay - Lesbian news


 
    Printable version


On the Afrol News front page now

Rwanda
Rwanda succeeds including citizens in formal financial sector

afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.

Famine warning: "South Sudan is imploding"

afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
Guinea
Panic in West Africa after Ebola outbreak in Guinea

afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia tightens its already strict anti-gay laws

afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia plans Africa's biggest dam

afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.



front page | news | countries | archive | currencies | news alerts login | about afrol News | contact | advertise | español 

©  afrol News. Reproducing or buying afrol News' articles.

   You can contact us at mail@afrol.com