Kenyan anti-homosexuality bill would expel LGBTQ+ refugees

 

Refugees and asylum seekers who identify as LGBTQ+ would be expelled from Kenya under a proposed anti-homosexuality law.The Family Protection Bill, 2023, that would criminalize homosexuality with a life sentence, is currently under consideration by a parliamentary committee. 

The measure, which opposition MP Peter Kaluma has sponsored, proposes changes to Kenya’s Penal Code that prohibits consensual same-sex relations with a 14-year prison term. The lawmaker notes that homosexuality, same-sex marriages and other so-called unnatural sexual acts go against “public morality” that threaten the family unit under Article 45 of Kenya’s constitution, which recognizes marriage as between people of the opposite sex.

“The bill contains miscellaneous provisions that allow the expulsion of refugees and asylum seekers who breach the law, contains provisions for psychotherapy and rehabilitation of offenders and consequential amendments to other acts of Parliament,” the proposed law reads. 

The proposed Kenyan law seeks to limit several constitutional rights and freedoms in restricting LGBTQ+ practices and associated activities in the country.

It would impose a jail term of not less than five years on people found guilty of assembling, picketing, promoting, or supporting LGBTQ+-specific activities. The bill also seeks to limit the right to information by restricting the media from publishing or broadcasting LGBTQ+-specific content and would ban the recognition or registration of any LGBTQ+ group or organization in Kenya.

This provision is in response to the Kenyan Supreme Court’s controversial ruling in February that allowed the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission to register a non-governmental organization.

The ruling attracted criticism from religious leaders and government officials including President William Ruto, who has instructed the attorney general to challenge the court’s decision for violating the country’s laws and morality.    

27-04-2023

Kenyan anti-homosexuality bill would expel LGBTQ+ refugees