NGO banned over gay marriage row

THE Tanzanian government said on Saturday it had suspended an NGO it had accused of promoting gay marriage in contravention of local customs, traditions and laws.

The move followed a police raid on a Community Health Education Services and Advocacy (Chesa) centre, which is accused of being involved in the promotion of marriage between people of the same sex.

The government has said marriages between people of the same sex are unacceptable in Tanzania as [they are] contrary to the customs, traditions and laws of the country.

Chesa stands accused of organising a workshop for gay couples in a hotel in Dar es Salaam, the country’s largest city.

Police made 12 arrests on Wednesday at the hotel, including two South Africans and a Ugandan, for presumed homosexuality.

In a joint statement on Friday Chesa and South Africa’s Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa (Isla), a fellow NGO, insisted they were merely coordinating a “legal consultation” to challenge a government decision to limit the provision of some health services.

In February, Tanzania provoked criticism notably from the United States after announcing the closure of several health centres specialising in Aids prevention, alleging they were fronts for promoting homosexuality.

Chesa and Isla said arrests were made last week, including Isla’s executive director, Sibongile Ndashe, and added all were back in custody after bail was revoked on Friday.

Tanzania has vowed to deport foreigners campaigning for gay rights in a country. — AFP