The United States on Monday said it was "deeply concerned" about a new law making homosexuality punishable by life in prison in Gambia, where gays already have endured years of intolerance and harassment.

The measure signed into law last month by President Yahya Jammeh targets people deemed guilty of "aggravated homosexuality," who could face life in prison, as could people with HIV.

Before October, same-sex relationships in Gambia were already punishable by up to 14 years in jail.

"We are dismayed by President Jammeh's decision to sign into law legislation that further restricts the rights of LGBT individuals and are deeply concerned about the reported arrests and detention of suspected LGBT individuals in The Gambia," the State Department said.

"The United States strongly opposes any legislation that criminalizes consensual relations between adults," the US statement said.

"We urge the government of The Gambia not to arrest or detain individuals solely on the basis of their perceived sexual orientation or gender identity, and to protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all its citizens to which they are entitled under The Gambia's international human rights commitments."

Washington echoed denunciations of the law issued by rights groups including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

"The new law treats consensual, private sexual activity between adults of the same sex -– which should not be a crime –- in the same way as rape and incest," said a statement by Amnesty.

Jammeh, a former military officer who seized power in a 1994 coup, has repeatedly denounced homosexuality and once vowed to behead gays, although he later retracted the threat.

Last year, Jammeh told the UN General Assembly that "those who promote homosexuality want to put an end to human existence."

"It is becoming an epidemic and we Muslims and Africans will fight to end this behavior," he said.

Source: http://en.africatime.com/db/us-condemns-anti-gay-laws-gambia

Correct man.....

The Gambia and the whole African continent are concerned about Black people being treated like worthless objects In America.
Africa is disgusted of America valuing the white man's life more than a Black man's life .

Africa finds despicable that despite the string of shootings in which white racist police officers deliberately murder Black people, there is no indictment.

From what happened in Ferguson Missouri Africa has the n-th proof America failed itself as a nation.

Africa wants to reminds US attorney general E. Holder that the US Justice department spent six years defending gays and lesbians while Black were being murdered and discriminated against by White.

HumbledbYGrace:
Correct man.....

I read ur review about M.I's album, i had actually listen to brother, lk u didn't take note of Milli's voice, d guy took d last verse, i fell in love with voice. I did search for stuffs on him, he has nothin on net. Sha, i don't mostly listen to secular music.

Brymo:
I read ur review about M.I's album, i had actually listen to brother, lk u didn't take note of Milli's voice, d guy took d last verse, i fell in love with voice. I did search for stuffs on him, he has nothin on net. Sha, i don't mostly listen to secular music.

I did, I just didn't mention him. Thanks by the way.

tolutweety:


.....HBG !

love your detailed analysis of the MI album,couldn't have done it better.

Brother,Human being ,Always love,Rich remains my favourite.

Thanks, I didn't mention Rich coz I kinda didn't connect with it honestly but its ok.

tolutweety:


Ur analysis was flawless...wished i cld 'like & share' it more than once.

'Brother' really touched me;Its takes the man in you to apologise,whether right or wrong.

I pray that its message has well been received, not to only choc boys but in all of us....

Wish I could have done more but maybe next time, let's not derail the thread...

Or maybe we can have the discussion on a new thread?