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HOMOSEXUALITY-POLITICS-ARREST-RIGHTS-TANZANIE
Tanzania government denounces governor’s anti-gay witch-hunt
NAIROBI, Nov 5, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Tanzania says that a plan to hunt down and
arrest suspected homosexuals in the country’s economic capital was not
official policy, distancing itself from a citywide crackdown slammed by
rights groups.
Dar es Salaam’s powerful governor, Paul Makonda, urged citizens last
Monday to begin reporting homosexuals for round-ups in a country where anti-
gay rhetoric has soared in recent years.
“The government of the United Republic of Tanzania would like to clarify
that these are (Makonda’s) personal views and not the position of the
government,” the foreign affairs ministry said in a statement released Sunday
evening.
It added that the government would “continue to respect all international
human rights conventions which it subscribes to”.
A fervent Christian and loyal ally of President John Magufuli, Makonda had
said homosexual behaviour “tramples on the moral values of Tanzanians and our
two Christian and Muslim religions”.
His remarks drew strong criticism including from Amnesty International and
the United Nations.
Under British colonial-era laws, homosexuality is illegal in Tanzania and
same-sex acts between men are punishable by a maximum life sentence.
Anti-gay sentiment has increased since Magufuli’s 2015 election, forcing
most gays, lesbians and other sexual minorities to live in secrecy.
Last year, the president said that everybody should condemn homosexuality,
“even cows” and soon after his government threatened to arrest or deport gay
rights activists.
Three South Africans were subsequently expelled for allegedly advocating
for same-sex marriage.
AIDS clinics have also been shut down under Magufuli, accused of
“promoting” homosexuality, while he has encouraged women to abandon birth
control and have more babies.
On Saturday, the European Union said it had recalled its chief
representative to Brussels for discussions, following reports he had been
asked to leave by the government.
BSS/AFP/RY/1611 hrs