Zanzibar outlaws homosexual acts

BBC ^ | 04/14/04 | BBC

[Pikamax]

Zanzibar outlaws homosexual acts

Tourism is blamed for a demise of traditional values Zanzibar's parliament has passed a bill that outlaws homosexuality and lesbianism. The bill imposes stiff penalties which include up to 25 years imprisonment for those in gay relationships.

The overwhelmingly Muslim Indian Ocean island is a key tourist destination on the East African coast.

The attorney-general said they were determined to prevent Zanzibari culture from being corrupted. The president is expected to approve the bill into law.

Rare union

Correspondents say the number of homosexuals and lesbians is on the rise in the Indian Ocean Island.

The penalty for those in lesbian relationships will be a seven-year jail term.

A penalty of life imprisonment will be imposed on anyone found guilty of sodomising a minor.

The bill was supported by both the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and the Civic United Front (CUF) - a rare occasion of political unity.

[ErnBatavia]

The overwhelmingly Muslim Indian Ocean island is a key tourist destination

But I'll be the "White Party" has no plans to have have it's annual soiree there next year...

[50sDad]

The people who turned a blind eye to Rawandan genocide will be outraged at this horrible oppression of civil rights!

[billorites]

Bummer!

[2banana]

Howard Stern wants to know if it applies to lesbians on the radio...

[ditto h]

The bill imposes stiff penalties...

[I still care]

There have been church burnings lately in Zanzibar, by Muslim extremists.

While I understand that they need to delegitimize the gay relationships, they idea of throwing someone into jail for 7 years over such a thing, coupled with what I heard about the churches, is frightening.

[dead]

I've got a tab at Zanzibar.

[xp38]

Zanzibar is an island state within the United Republic of Tanzania, and has its own semi-autonomous government made up of a Revolutionary Council and House of Representatives. The present government is led by the island's President, Amani Karume. The government body responsible for tourism promotion is the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism.