Burundi’s parliment voted on Saturday to criminalize homosexuality and outlaw the death penalty. MP Catherine Mabobori, one of ten members who abstained said, “Unfortunately, this penal law is also a regression because it now makes homosexuality a criminal offence, whereas it had been tolerated until now.” There were zero “No” votes on the matter. [Jurist]
Burundi Outlaws Homosexuality
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Michael
Sad news, however, the country is spelled Burundi.
Japhy Grant
@Michael: Gracias.
Matt
We think we have it so bad since we can’t get married.
fredo777
Disgusting.
Jaroslaw
So why did MP Catherine abstain instead of voting NO?
ioni
I would envision that this MP was scared, Jaroslaw, no other reason.
Burundi would not be the country of freedom and whereas not everyone in the room would be able to point it on the map, it is still very disturbing that homosexuality is again outlawed.
Wikipedia suggests that the majority of the population are Roman Catholic, which makes the decision twice as strange…
And I just wonder what was their reasoning…
chuck
This report from the U.S. Department of State:
“CRIME: Crime, often committed by groups of armed bandits, poses a high risk for foreign visitors to Bujumbura and Burundi in general. Common crimes include mugging, purse-snatching, pick pocketing, burglary, automobile break-ins and carjacking. Many criminal incidents involve armed attackers. Armed criminals often ambush vehicles, particularly on the roads leading out of Bujumbura. Criminals in Bujumbura often operate in pairs or in small groups involving six or more individuals. Due to insufficient resources, local authorities in any part of Burundi are often unable to provide timely assistance in case of need.
U.S. Government personnel are prohibited from walking on the streets during the hours of darkness and using local, public transportation. Foreigners, whether in vehicles or at home, are always potential crime targets. Americans should exercise common sense judgment and take the same precautions as one would in any major city.”
Wow. Nice place. I can hardly wait to visit it.
One would think that a country with this much crime to deal with, would have little time to worry about what two consenting adults are doing in bed.
Ioni, I hate to throw a wet blanket on your reasoning, but could not the fact that the majority of the population are Roman Catholic be the chief reason for this decision?
If nothing else, and given the crime situation in this country, we have a charming example of how little effect the Church has on the decency and behavior of it’s citizenry.
Had the Christian Missionaries never brought their brand of morality to that nation, I am almost certain that the natives would have remained a much more loving and nurturing people.
Score another resounding victory for Christianity.
ioni
Chuck, not to worry!
Note that Ireland has a serious church presence, so does Italy and Spain – the places where we all would love to be!
Eric in Rwanda
That really makes me sick. When a people who are struggling to reconcile years of tribal bloodshed, would choose to lay that same hate on the gay people of Burundi, there is little hope of peace.
Time to write letters to their many foreign aid donors.
ousslander
I guess my honeymoon plans have to be changed.
What does one expect from a region of the globe where slaughtering your neighbours every couple of years is a national/geographic hobby? Maybe they’ll kill themselves off before too long.
chuck
@Eric in Rwanda:
There are non so oppressive as those who themselves who have been the victims of oppression.
derek
http://www.sodomylaws.org/
Nkeramihigo Emmanuel
Oh I am so sick of homosexual agenda.it is the most unhealthiest act.The behind was made for a different reason all together,
common sense is that like poles repel and unlike poles attract.A woman should lie with a man only.
That is the law of GOD,Man and nature.
Please begin the change.Call +256714110811 and he could help you change.
Rick
Gays should just accept the fact that the anus was made to excrete feces. If they hadn’t engaged in anal sex millions of gay men would still be alive today. And now African women are getting AIDS because they use their anus as a birth control method. This world has gone crazy.