Mozambique legalized homosexuality on Monday when a new
penal code came into force that swept away old Portuguese colonial laws, in a
victory for campaigners for gay rights in Africa.
penal code came into force that swept away old Portuguese colonial laws, in a
victory for campaigners for gay rights in Africa.
The old code, dating back to 1886, targeted anyone “who habitually
engages in vices against nature”, but no known prosecutions were brought after
Mozambique became independent in 1975. Breaking the law was theoretically
punishable by up to three years of hard labour.
engages in vices against nature”, but no known prosecutions were brought after
Mozambique became independent in 1975. Breaking the law was theoretically
punishable by up to three years of hard labour.
Dercio Tsandzana, an influential blogger and activist, said
there had been no public discussion of homosexual rights. “The government
instead abides by the external pressure put by some embassies and foreign
donors,” he said.
there had been no public discussion of homosexual rights. “The government
instead abides by the external pressure put by some embassies and foreign
donors,” he said.
Homosexuality is punishable by death in Sudan and
Mauritania.
Mauritania.
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