LGBT rights in Ethiopia
| LGBT rights in Ethiopia | |
|---|---|
.svg) Ethiopia |
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| Same-sex sexual activity legal? | Illegal[1] |
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Penalty:
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Needs verification |
| Gender identity/expression | – |
| Family rights | |
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights are not recognized in Ethiopia; all homosexual activity is recognized by Ethiopian law as a sexual crime, and the public acknowledgement or promotion of homosexuality is overwhelmingly rejected by Ethiopian society.
According to the 2007 Pew Global Attitudes Project, 97% of Ethiopian residents said that homosexuality should be rejected by society, which was the second-highest percentage rejecting homosexuality among the 44 countries surveyed, exceeded only by Mali at 98%.[2]
Mainstream Ethiopian social mores are broadly influenced by the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian Church and Muslim religious life.
Contents |
[edit] Law regarding same-sex sexual activity
Both male and female same-sex sexual activity is illegal [1] in Ethiopia. In December 2008, nearly a dozen Ethiopian religious figures adopted a resolution against homosexuality, urging Ethiopian lawmakers to endorse a ban on homosexual activity in the constitution.[3]
Under Ethiopian law, homosexual activity is punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment. The relevant Ethiopian laws frame homosexual acts such that they are not victimless crimes; rather, the wording of the penal code states that it is an act of an aggressor against a victim. Consequently, the offense of the aggressor is considered aggravated, when it results in the suicide of the victim.[4] This reflects Ethiopian society's belief that homosexual acts are akin to rape.[5]
[edit] Living conditions
The U.S. Department of State's 2010 Human Rights Report found that "there were some reports of violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals; however, reporting was limited due to fears of retribution, discrimination, or stigmatization." attempts."[6]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b Ottosson, Daniel (May 2008). "State-sponsored Homophobia: A world survey of laws prohibiting same sex activity between consenting adults". International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA). pp. Pages 14–15. http://www.ilga.org/statehomophobia/ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2008.pdf. Retrieved 5 May 2009.
- ^ Pew Global Attitudes Project PDF
- ^ "2008 Human Rights Reports: Ethiopia – Section 5 Discrimination, Societal Abuses, and Trafficking in Persons", United States Department of State website (accessed 26 May 2009)
- ^ Criminal Code of Ethiopia (2005) § 630.2.c.
- ^ Teweldebirhan, Seble. "Dialogue on Consensual Homosexuality in Ethiopia". Ezega.com. http://www.ezega.com/news/NewsDetails.aspx?Page=news&NewsID=3145. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
- ^ http://paei.state.gov/documents/organization/160121.pdf
[edit] External links
- UK government travel advice for Ethiopia: Local laws and customs
- Homosexuality in Ethiopia: 2009 Masters Thesis by Daniel Iddo Balcha, Lund University
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