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01/10/09-01/12/09

Nine Men Convicted of Homosexual Acts in Senegal

Nine men in Senegal, including a prominent gay rights activist, have been convicted of homosexual acts and sentenced to eight years in prison, the Associated Press reports.

Diadji Diuof, a well-known Senegalese activist who heads an organization providing HIV prevention and other services, was among the nine men arrested in December during a raid on his apartment. Just weeks before, Senegal played host to an international AIDS conference -- LGBT participants were visible throughout the conference.

Senegal is one of 38 African countries that criminalize homosexual acts. Joel Nana, Africa research and policy coordinator with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission in Cape Town, notes that South Africa caused a stir in 2006 when it became the first African country to legalize same-sex marriage.

The nine men were convicted of and sentenced for unnatural acts and criminal conspiracy, Nana told AP.

"This is the first case that we've heard of in Senegal where people actually got sentenced," he said, calling the punishment long and harsh.

"It is a strong message of hatred, a strong message of division when we know it is critical at this point to address HIV in these communities," he said. (Advocate.com)

 

Reader Comments

These comments are reproduced as written by visitors to this Web site. They have not been edited for content, grammar, or spelling. The viewpoints appearing here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of advocate.com, The Advocate, or its affiliates.

  • Name: Randall
    Date posted: 2009-01-10 5:44 PM
    Hometown: West Hollywood

    Comment:

    They’re obviously not among the 66 countries that signed the recent declaration for equal human rights and the decriminalization of homosexuality. Of course the US didn’t sign it either. Maybe one of the 66 countries that demonstrate more respect for homosexuals than the US government can apply pressure. Without a multinational effort and significant deterrents the situation seems dire. Another question is, how do we encourage 38 African nations that now criminalize homosexuality to “see the light” and change their laws? Most are having trouble dealing with a virus. They seem a hundred years behind if not more.


  • Name: Adrian
    Date posted: 2009-01-10 2:16 AM
    Hometown: Northridge, CA

    Comment:

    We should embargo countries that violate human rights. It's gonna be a long battle but if we are persistent, we will succeed at last. God Bless America.


  • Name: Jim Guinnessey
    Date posted: 2009-01-09 10:23 AM
    Hometown: West Palm Beach, Florida

    Comment:

    Senegal, one of the most corrupt countries in Africa, is like so many African countries a hypocritical society when it comes to ptotecting its gay citizens. USA gays should retaliate and insist that the USA deport all the Senegalese crooks freely and without harassment selling phoney knock-offs on the streets of Washington,D.C. and New York City. But then again, the USA can be just as hypocrital as Senegal when it comes to respecting its Gay citizens.


  • Name: eric1949
    Date posted: 2009-01-08 6:21 PM
    Hometown: Pontiac

    Comment:

    Wow! The Federal Bedroom Police arrest nine guys for committing "unnatural acts." Maybe the cops had gaydar detectors in their latent squad cars. But what about the men that commit natural acts like murder, rape and robbery?


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