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European Commissioner “Shocked” at New Burundi Law Criminalising Gay Men and Women
Cashman raises matter at Port Moresby
Conference
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LANGUAGE OPTIONS This article is only available in English. For online instant translation in selected other languages, see below. |
PORT MORESBY, November 27, 2008 – A commissioner of the European Union has expressed his “shock” at the passing of a law in Burundi which criminalises sexual relations between consenting same-sex adults.
The matter was raised by the president of the European Parliament’s “all-party” Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights, Michael Cashman MEP, at the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific-European Union joint parliamentary assembly.
Mr. Cashman raised the issue directly with the European Commissioner for development and humanitarian aid Louis Michael and called upon the European Commission to raise the issue with Burundi government.
“The Commissioner expressed that he was shocked to learn of this law and stressed that this is a very serious issue,” Mr. Cashman said in a statement.
“He told the Assembly he will travel to Burundi and discuss his concerns with the government," Mr. Cashman added.
The legislation was approved by the Burundi Parliament earlier this week. It is not yet known if the matter has gone yet to the Senate. The afrol News website reported on Tuesday that the Senate “may vote on the bill as early as tomorrow and if it passes, Burundian President Nkurunziza will likely sign it into law”.
On Tuesday, the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission in New York issued an "action alert" on this legislation.
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SEE ALSO
Burundi to Criminalise Homosexuality. In an unexpected blitz move, the parliament of Burundi has passed a law, making same-sex acts punishable by between three months and two years in prison, along with a substantial fine. Pro-gay groups are expressing outrage. The new legislation, which still has to pass before the Bujumbura Senate, would criminalise homosexuality for the first time in the history of the country. The Senate may vote on the bill as early as tomorrow and if it passes, Burundian President Nkurunziza will likely sign it into law. (afrol News, November 25, 2008)
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Posted: 27 November 2008 at 16:00 (UK time) |
