Cablegate: Ethiopia: Human Rights Trends Regarding Sexual

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PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO
DE RUEHDS #3027/01 3640509
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 300509Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7286
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 3466
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 1976
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEPADJ/CJTF HOA PRIORITY
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEWMFD/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 003027

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF FRONT OFFICE
ALSO AF/RSA FOR LOUIS MAZEL, LAURA GRIESMER, LEARNED DEES
AF/E FOR JOEL WIEGERT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV ET
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA: HUMAN RIGHTS TRENDS REGARDING SEXUAL
ORIENTATION

REF: STATE 130765

Summary
--------

1. (SBU) Ethiopia is a conservative society, as the vast
majority of the population identifies itself as Ethiopian
Orthodox Christian or Muslim. Leaders of both religious
groups have denounced homosexuality. Homosexual conduct
between adults is criminalized under Ethiopian law and
punishable by up to ten years imprisonment. Post is not
aware of any cases of homosexual conduct as such that have
been prosecuted in recent years. In December 2008, a local
organization named "United for Life" organized nearly a dozen
religious leaders to sign a resolution urging lawmakers to
ban homosexuality in the constitution. The Government of
Ethiopia took no action as a result of this resolution. Post
is aware of very few reports of violence against lesbian,
gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals; however,
reporting may be limited due to fears of retribution. The
anecdotal reports post is aware of come from credible sources
and include forced marriages and rapes of LGBT individuals.
End Summary.

Criminal Codes and Prosecution
-------------------------------

2. (U) Homosexual conduct is criminalized under Articles
629-632 of the Ethiopian penal code. Homosexual conduct
between adults is punishable by up to ten years imprisonment.
Homosexual conduct between an adult male and a male aged
13-18 is punishable by imprisonment from three to 15 years;
between an adult male and an a male under age 13 is
punishable by imprisonment from 15 to 25 years; and between
an adult female and a minor female (any age) is punishable by
imprisonment not exceeding ten years. Homosexual conduct
involving a subordinate relationship (e.g., guardian,
teacher, employer) and homosexual prostitution are punishable
by one to ten years imprisonment. (Note: Post concludes
there is not an appreciable level of homosexual prostitution
or sex tourism in Ethiopia. End note.) Imprisonment for
life may theoretically be imposed in cases where "sexual
outrage has caused the death or grave physical or mental
injury upon the victim, or where the victim is driven to
suicide by distress, shame, or despair." Post is not aware
of any cases of homosexual conduct that have been prosecuted
in recent years or any pending cases for homosexual acts
between adults.

Public Attitudes
----------------

3. (SBU) Ethiopia is a conservative society, as the vast
majority of the population identifies as Ethiopian Orthodox
Christian or Muslim. Leaders of both religious groups have
denounced homosexuality. In the past year, post received
limited reports of violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual,
and transgender (LGBT) individuals; however, reporting may
have been scarce due to fears of retribution, discrimination,
or stigmatization. The anecdotal reports post is aware of
come from credible sources and include forced marriages and
rapes of LGBT individuals.

4. (SBU) Despite these negative attitudes, a thriving LGBT
social scene exists in Addis Ababa. Parties are generally
unannounced and held in private homes or bars, with
invitations distributed via word of mouth or text messaging.
Post contacts report that events are held at least on a
weekly basis, with attendance of more than 50 people not
unusual. Such events have been forced to relocate, sometimes
on short notice, because of real or perceived threats to the
establishments where they are held. However, no arrests or
harassment have been reported linked to these social events.
As in other countries, urban residents and young people are
likely to be more tolerant of homosexual behavior when
compared to their rural and elder counterparts, but even
among this group conservative views dominate.

Recent Advocacy Campaigns
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ADDIS ABAB 00003027 002 OF 002

5. (SBU) In December 2008, nearly a dozen religious leaders
signed a resolution against homosexuality, urging lawmakers
to endorse a ban on homosexual activity in the constitution.
No action was taken by the government on this request. This
effort was led by the organization "United for Life," which
also campaigned against abortion rights.
MUSHINGI

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