Africa must uphold gay rights: UN boss

ADDIS ABABA UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon, in an unusually outspoken declaration Sunday, told African leaders they must respect gay rights, an issue that is controversial in many African states.

“One form of discrimination ignored or even sanctioned by many states for too long has been discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity,” Ban said at an African Union summit in the Ethiopian capital.

“It prompted governments to treat people as second-class citizens or even criminals,” he added.

Homosexuality is outlawed in most African countries, and discrimination against gays and lesbians is rife on the continent, with South Africa being the only country that recognizes gay rights and same-sex marriage, at least on paper.

However, previous external criticism of restrictions imposed on homosexuals has attracted angry responses from African leaders, who claim it is alien to their culture.

Outgoing African Union chairman Tedoro Obiang Nguema, speaking before Ban’s remarks were delivered, complained about the external criticism the continent receives.

“Africa should not be questioned with regards to democracy, human rights, governance and transparency in public administration,” he told the summit.

“Confronting these discriminations is a challenge, but we must not give up on the ideas of the universal declaration” of human rights, Ban told the summit.

The Ugandan government, however, said that while it did not condone discrimination, it remained firmly opposed to homosexuality and continued to view the practice as a crime.

Ban also told leaders that they should respect democracy, noting that the Arab Spring revolutions that swept North Africa last year were “a reminder that leaders must listen to their people.

“Events proved that repression is a dead end. Police power is no match to people power seeking dignity and justice,” he said.