Ethiopia to make homosexuality a non-pardonable offence
Politicians in Ethiopia are set to pass a bill that puts homosexuality on a list of offences considered non-pardonable under the country’s amnesty law.
The measure, endorsed last week by Ethiopia’s Council of Ministers, is widely expected to pass when it is put to a vote next week, the Associated Press reports.
If the bill becomes law, the President of Ethiopia Mulatu Teshome, will lose his power to pardon prisoners who faced charges ranging from homosexuality to terrorism.
Ethiopia is the following in the footsteps of Uganda and Nigeria, two countries which have both recently strengthened their anti-gay legislation.
In Ethiopia, same-sex sexual activity is already illegal and punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
A 25-year jail term is also prescribed for anyone convicted of infecting another person with HIV during gay sex.
