Hit List Issued on Gays in Liberia

some days have little faith in humanity.

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an anti-gay group in liberia distributed fliers on weekend hit list of people support gay rights, , 1 member of group threatened “get them 1 one.”

fliers mark latest development in increasingly hostile national debate gay rights in country on africa’s western coast.

lawmakers in february introduced 2 new pieces of legislation make homosexuality punishable possible jail time. , vow president ellen johnson sirleaf last month preserve existing law criminalizing “voluntary sodomy” prompted statement of concern u.s. state department.

fliers distributed on weekend in parts of liberia’s capital signed movement against gay’s in liberia, or mogal. group said involved in promoting gay rights “should not given space gulp of air.”

“having conducted comprehensive investigation, convinced below listed individuals gays or supporters of club don’t mean our country,” fliers read. “therefore, have agreed go after them using means in life.”

no individual members of mogal signed flier. moses tapleh, 28-year-old resident of main community flier distributed, said affiliated group , stressed threats should taken seriously.

“we them 1 one,” tapleh said. “they want spoil our country.”

asked specific action might taken against on list, said subjected “dangerous punishments” including “flogging , death.”

relative of 1 of targeted, spoke on condition of anonymity fear of reprisals, said person on list had received threatening phone calls.

graeme reid, director of lgbt rights program @ human rights watch, said emergence of hit list should put pressure on liberia’s president take stance in support of gay rights. refusing sign new anti-gay laws, said, insufficient.

“she cannot sit on fence when there’s kind of provocation taking place. needs take clear , unequivocal stance on issue,” reid said.

robert kpadeh, deputy minister @ ministry of information, said ministry had not heard fliers open receiving complaints.

list includes 2 men launched campaign in january legalize gay marriage, , have since been subjected protests angry mobs , threats of violence.

campaign began 1 month after united states announced new government-wide policy push decriminalization of homosexuality overseas. in other countries in sub-saharan africa homosexuality remains largely taboo topic, announcement drew swift condemnation liberian officials , media outlets.

liberian law not explicitly address homosexuality. “voluntary sodomy” misdemeanor punishable 1 year in prison.

1 of 2 new bills make same-sex sexual practice second-degree felony, punishable 5 years in prison. other anti-gay bill make same-sex marriage first-degree felony, sentences ranging 10 years in prison. both bills being reviewed in committee.

u.s. embassy in monrovia has kept quiet throughout liberia’s gay rights debate. in interview last week, david bruce wharton, deputy assistant secretary public diplomacy in state department’s bureau of african affairs, said phone washington department wary of being seen “seeking impose western values on more conservative african societies.”

homophobia rife in many african countries. last year, nigeria’s senate voted in favor of bill criminalize gay marriage, gay advocacy groups , same-sex public displays of affection. newly added portion of bill levels 10 years in prison found guilty of organizing, operating or supporting gay clubs, organizations , meetings.

, in 2009, ugandan legislator introduced bill impose death penalty gays , lesbians. bill reintroduced earlier year, though author has said death penalty provision dropped.

in south africa, african nation recognize gay marriage, gangs carry out so-called “corrective” rapes on lesbians.

the flier distributed in liberia warned group begin taking action shortly. “let these individuals aware coming after them soon,” flier reads. “we urge them begin saying lord’s prayers.”

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/world...m-one-by-one/2012/04/03/giqa8uvwss_story.html

 

this great tourism industry in liberia if issue hunting permits. plus, double bonus, can refuse reentry republicans go there vacation!

 

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