Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Kenya to rule on gay rights as African neighbours look on
Source: The Guardian
Kenya to rule on gay rights as African neighbours look on
Decision has implications for rest of continent, where LGBT people face widespread discrimination
Jason Burke in Nairobi
Thu 21 Feb 2019 16.22 GMT
Judges in Kenya’s high court will decide on Friday whether to repeal laws criminalising homosexuality, in a potentially historic decision that has implications for the rest of Africa, where LGBT people face widespread discrimination.
“Everyone all over Africa is paying attention. Whatever happens in Kenya will have a direct impact on us all,” said Frank Mugisha, an activist based in neighbouring Uganda, where homosexuality is outlawed and authorities have attempted to impose harsher sentences on gay people in recent years.
Religious groups in Kenya have opposed any softening of its colonial-era laws, which punish sexual acts deemed “unnatural” with up to 14 years in prison, but pro-repeal campaigners say they are optimistic.
Lawyers acting for LGBT activists have argued that the laws contravene Kenya’s 2010 constitution.
-snip-
Decision has implications for rest of continent, where LGBT people face widespread discrimination
Jason Burke in Nairobi
Thu 21 Feb 2019 16.22 GMT
Judges in Kenya’s high court will decide on Friday whether to repeal laws criminalising homosexuality, in a potentially historic decision that has implications for the rest of Africa, where LGBT people face widespread discrimination.
“Everyone all over Africa is paying attention. Whatever happens in Kenya will have a direct impact on us all,” said Frank Mugisha, an activist based in neighbouring Uganda, where homosexuality is outlawed and authorities have attempted to impose harsher sentences on gay people in recent years.
Religious groups in Kenya have opposed any softening of its colonial-era laws, which punish sexual acts deemed “unnatural” with up to 14 years in prison, but pro-repeal campaigners say they are optimistic.
Lawyers acting for LGBT activists have argued that the laws contravene Kenya’s 2010 constitution.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/feb/21/kenyan-court-set-to-rule-on-decriminalising-homosexuality
