Mozambique: US government praises country for not bringing in anti-LGBTQI+ laws

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Mozambique: US government praises country for not bringing in anti-LGBTQI+ laws

2:38 CAT | 15 Jun 2023

Photo: Twitter / @USAmbPEPFAR

The US government has hailed the authorities in Mozambique for refraining from passing any laws to criminalise the country’s LGBTQI+ community, recalling that the protection of minorities is a human rights issue.

Mozambique “does not have a constitution or laws that criminalise the LGBTQI+ community and that is a good thing compared to what happens in other countries, where the laws are very aggressive,” John Nkengasong, roving ambassador and coordinator of US activities for the Global Fight against HIV/AIDS, told Lusa.

Nkengasong was speaking at the US embassy in Maputo, on the sidelines of an event celebrating Pride month, which commemorates the beginning of the fight for the rights of LGBTQI+ (acronym for lesbian, ‘gay’, bisexual, transgender, ‘queer’, intersex and others) people in the US and elsewhere.

Acknowledging that resistance to the recognition of sexual minorities is common to all societies, the ambassador called on the authorities in Mozambique to mobilise the various sectors in the country towards a culture of understanding and tolerance, through continuous dialogue.

The LGBTQI+ community “are Mozambicans” and this understanding “is a starting point for an attitude of inclusion,” he stressed. “No one should be persecuted for choosing a different lifestyle.”

Nkengasong warned of the danger of discrimination hindering the fight against HIV/AIDS, due to the exclusion of a part of society.

“When it comes to infection, if we do not protect the LGBTQI+ community we will not win the war against HIV/AIDS in Mozambique or anywhere else and that finding is based on data and scientific evidence,” he stressed.

In the case of Africa, Nkengasong cited Uganda as a negative example, after the country recently approved the application of the death penalty for LGBTQI+ people, stressing that this type of decision creates fear and throws those targeted by the law into a life in hiding.

The Ugandan authorities’ action prompted the US to threaten economic consequences and cut aid to the government in Kampala.

.@StateDept proudly works to promote and protect the human rights of #LGBTQI+ persons around the world and it was a pleasure to participate in this great event with @USEmbassyMaputo to celebrate #PrideMonth with members of the LGBTQI+ community. pic.twitter.com/ugInsnWy4c

— Dr. John Nkengasong (@USAmbPEPFAR) June 15, 2023

Comprometemo-nos a lutar pelos direitos humanos de cada indivíduo a viver a sua vida abertamente sem medo. Como aliados da comunidade #LGBTQI+, esta noite iluminamos a Embaixada dos EUA para reconhecer os seus direitos. #PrideMonth #MêsdoOrgulho 🏳️‍🌈 pic.twitter.com/98CLIOTLR2

— Embaixada dos EUA em Moçambique (@USEmbassyMaputo) June 14, 2023