There are reports that Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf will veto an anti-gay bill recently introduced into parliament, if it is passed.
By Melanie Nathan, 03/01/2012
The proposed legislation, which aims to increase the penalties for homosexuality to up to ten years in jail and to ban same-sex marriage in Liberia, was introduced by Senator Jewel Howard Taylor, who is the country’s former first lady, in a country where homosexuality and lesbian relations are already criminalized.
If passed by parliament, the bill would need to be signed into law by President Sirleaf, who was awarded the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize. According to the Associated Press, however, Sirleaf “has said she will not sign any such bill into law”.
Former Liberian first lady Jewel Howard Taylor has introduced a bill making homosexuality liable to a death sentence, amid a raging debate over gay rights in the country.
The bill submitted by former president Charles Taylor’s ex-wife, now a senator, also seeks to amend laws to prohibit gay marriage.
“No two persons of the same sex shall have sexual relations. A violation of this prohibition will be considered a first degree felony,” reads the proposed amendment to marriage laws.
First degree punishment can range from 10 years to life imprisonment to the death sentence, on the discretion of the judge.
Voluntary sodomy is already a criminal offence in the west African country and can result in up to three years imprisonment, according to a lawyer consulted by AFP.
George Tengbeh, a senator supporting the bill, said he hoped it would put an end to months of acrimonious public debate on gay rights.
“Even though this idea is totally unaccepted to Liberians, it is a glaring fact that same sex marriages are happening in the world at large,” the Bong County Senator noted, adding that it is therefore incumbent upon the Senate as a guardians of the sacred heritage to insure that their generation leaves the nation in a better position than they found it.
Taylor has dismissed the controversy around the bill, saying: ”We are only strengthening the existing law.”
Her former husband, and the country’s former president, Charles Taylor, is being tried for war crimes at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
TEXt of Bill and earlier article – https://oblogdeeoblogda.wordpress.com/2012/02/21/liberia-new-anti-homosexuality-bill-text-death-for-gays-and-lesbians/
Taylor should focus on strengthening the economic rights of liberians, not on human rights violations. very soon she will be joining her husband in the international criminal court for these acts. very stupid of these leaders…….no respect for human beings and their rights….
She is not vetoing but going to sign it to law. check this out. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/19/nobel-peace-prize-law-homosexuality
I will read an update if necessary
Melanie, I did not write to correct your blog but to share news and let off my anger and frustration about the way I am handled as an African Gay Man.
Hey no problem – If there is any correction I appreciate it!! Wishing you well and feel free to write to me privately at any time should you want to at