Gabon decriminalizes homosexuality

Text by: RFI Follow

After the National Assembly, the Senate adopted by an absolute majority the very controversial bill on the decriminalization of homosexuality. 59 senators voted for, 17 voted against and 4 abstained. It is a victory for some, a sad day for others.

Publicity

With our correspondent in Libreville, Yves-Laurent Goma

Prime Minister Julien Nkoghe Bekalé was present in the hemicycle to motivate senators to vote in favor of his bill. The opposition did everything to prevent the text from being voted. Pain lost: the Gabonese Democratic Party (in power), with its absolute majority, bombed the chest. The text was voted by a large majority.

Paragraph 5 of article 402 of the Criminal Code in force since July 2019 is now withdrawn. This article authorized the justice to condemn to six months in prison and a fine of 5 million FCFA any citizen convicted of homosexuality.
"  Today you have done useful work  ," said the Prime Minister thanking senators for "  this historic vote  ."

Main opponent, Jean Ping denounced a maneuver "  aimed at worsening the chaos and creating stigmatization of Gabon internationally  ". "  I am very proud for Gabon,  " exulted Stephen Jackson, the UN representative in the country.

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• Gabon
• Sexuality

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