On Wednesday, 155 parliamentarians voted for Angola’s first overhaul of the criminal statute books since independence, while seven abstained and one voted against.
“Angola has finally shed the divisive ‘vices against nature’ provision in its law,” Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a statement.
READ ALSO : BREAKING: INEC blocks Ezekwesili’s withdrawal from Presidential Race
“In casting aside this archaic and insidious relic of the colonial past, Angola has eschewed discrimination and embraced equality.”
While Angola had no known prosecutions under the old law, HRW said the contested provision harmed the rights of gay, bisexual and transgender people and exposed their lives to painful scrutiny.
The new legislation is the first overhaul of Angola’s criminal code since it gained independence from Portugal in 1975.
The new law also aims to shore up protection against sexual discrimination.
Anyone who refuses to employ individuals or provide services to them on the grounds of sexual orientation will be liable to a jail term of up to two years.
“The 69 other countries around the world that still criminalise consensual same-sex conduct should follow its (Angola’s) lead,” HRW said.
In a historic moment last year, Angola gave legal recognition to a gay rights lobby group called Iris Angola, marking a major breakthrough in a closed and conservative society.
Angola has been led since September 2017 by President Joao Lourenco, who succeeded Jose Eduardo dos Santos, the country’s ruler for almost four decades.
READ ALSO : ICPC should investigate Lai Mohammed over N2.5 billion NBC Fraud – PDP
Are you an artiste? Do you want your music to go viral and reach a large number of audience? Promote your music and Submit your story on Ujuayalogusblog.com by clicking here. For Advert Inquiries Tel/+44(0)7590363984
For More: Subscribe to Ujuayalogusblog.com
No comments:
Post a Comment