A season of well-attended and peaceful Pride celebrations throughout Europe is in stark contrast to the grave human rights abuses suffered by gays and lesbians in many parts of the world, say gay and lesbian rights activists. Among the areas under constant watch for continued abuses include Africa, the Islamic World and Eastern Europe.
“There are still dangers in being gay, and dangers in speaking out,” said Paula Ettelbrick, Executive Director of the New York-based International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission. “You need people to stand up and claim their space, even against tremendous odds – country by country, city by city.”
The areas of most concern, report the Associated Press, include:
Russia: Right-wing protesters attacked Pride marchers with bottles and stones in Moscow after Mayor Yuri Luzhkov banned Pride and refused to provide police protection. The mayor’s actions have been roundly condemned by other European mayors, the European Parliament and the US Congress.
Cameroon: Seven men were jailed three weeks ago for the crime of sodomy, after being imprisoned for over a year. A judge had thrown out the charges due to a lack of evidence, but the men were re-arrested and tried a second time, before finally being convicted. Sodomy is punishable by up to five years in prison.
Nigeria: President Olusegun Obasanjo has introduced a bill that would allow for prison terms for gay and lesbian same-sex relations, attending a same-sex marriage or joining a gay or lesbian support group.
"In Africa, politicians trying to shore themselves up see homophobia as a useful thing to exploit," said Scott Long of Human Rights Watch.
Jamaica: The island’s top gay and lesbian rights activist and a leading AIDS campaigner have both been murdered within the last two years. Gay sex is outlawed.
Iran: A Human Rights Watch investigation has revealed gay men continue to be executed, although they say it is difficult to assess how frequently this occurs.
"The minimum you'll face is torture in jail or court-ordered floggings," said Long, of gays arrested in Iran.
Poland: Prime Minister Lech Kaczynski has been accused of whipping up anti-gay fervour and targeting gay activists and gay businesses for harassment by authorities. The European Parliament has passed a resolution condemning homophobia in Poland.
Latvia: The Latvian Parliament refused to pass a law banning workplace discrimination against gays and lesbians, even though this legislation is required for membership in the European Union. Latvia has also passed legislation banning same-sex marriage. Last year, Pride marchers were attacked by right-wing groups in the capital Riga.
United Arab Emirates: Eleven men were arrested, charged, and imprisoned for participating in what authorities called a mass gay wedding. Authorities threatened the men with hormone injections, but stopped short of administering the treatment.
US gay and lesbian rights campaigners are pleased the US State Department annual human rights report devoted more time and space than usual to gay issues.
