Gambia: Bill passed to allow life imprisonment for gays
A Gambian politician has said the country is soon to adopt a lawĀ which allows life imprisonment for those found guilty of crimes linked to being gay.
The law was passed by the National Assembly, and amends the criminal code to bring life sentences for “aggravated homosexuality.”
The Associated Press reports that a draft bill contains identical language to Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act, which was signed into law earlier this year.
According to the legislation, “aggravated homosexuality” applies to “serial offenders”, as well as people living with HIV or AIDS.
Abdoulie Bojang said the bill had been passed by the Assembly last month.
The next step for the bill is to be signed into law by President Yahya Jammeh, who in FebruaryĀ referred to gay people as āverminā, saying they should be dealt with in the same way as mosquitoes which ācauseā malaria.
Amnesty International says the bill willĀ add to “the climate of fear” facing gay people in Gambia.
Same-sex activity in the country is currently punishable byĀ up to 14 years imprisonment.
