Jay456watt
JF-Expert Member
- Aug 23, 2016
- 10,356
- 7,992
World Bank has joined in the fray of international organisations condemning Tanzania over human rights violations and recent attacks on journalists and homosexuals. The international financial body has suspended all its visiting missions to the country.
ALSO READ: Tanzania frees detained journalists In an advisory dated November 7 that is posted on its website, it cites violations of human rights for the decision
The clamp down on homosexuality in Tanzanian began when President John Magufuli took office in 2015. Any person who is found to have "carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature" is to spend 30 years or more in jail.
In 2016, his government barred non-governmental organizations (NGOs) distributing lube to the homosexuals. Free lube was initially given to the group to control the spread of HIV/AIDS. In 2017, a group of 12 men were arrested in Dar es Salaam after they were suspected of engaging in activities that encouraged same-sex unions. Amnesty International came to the defence of the group.
"It is puzzling that if men are found sitting in pairs they are automatically suspected of engaging in homosexual activities.
The police have no evidence against these men and therefore have no right to file charges against them," East Africa's Amnesty International Deputy Director Seif Magango said at the time.
It is however, the October 31 remarks by Tanzanian governor Paul Makonda that has reignited the criticism by the international community. Makonda called for the creation of a surveillance unit to hunt down homosexuals throughout the country.
Read more at:
Unsafe place? World Bank cancels missions to Tanzania
ALSO READ: Tanzania frees detained journalists In an advisory dated November 7 that is posted on its website, it cites violations of human rights for the decision
The clamp down on homosexuality in Tanzanian began when President John Magufuli took office in 2015. Any person who is found to have "carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature" is to spend 30 years or more in jail.
In 2016, his government barred non-governmental organizations (NGOs) distributing lube to the homosexuals. Free lube was initially given to the group to control the spread of HIV/AIDS. In 2017, a group of 12 men were arrested in Dar es Salaam after they were suspected of engaging in activities that encouraged same-sex unions. Amnesty International came to the defence of the group.
"It is puzzling that if men are found sitting in pairs they are automatically suspected of engaging in homosexual activities.
The police have no evidence against these men and therefore have no right to file charges against them," East Africa's Amnesty International Deputy Director Seif Magango said at the time.
It is however, the October 31 remarks by Tanzanian governor Paul Makonda that has reignited the criticism by the international community. Makonda called for the creation of a surveillance unit to hunt down homosexuals throughout the country.
Read more at:
Unsafe place? World Bank cancels missions to Tanzania