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Cablegate: Sudan: Human Rights Trends Regarding Sexual

Published: Sun 3 Jan 2010 12:54 PM
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OO RUEHBC RUEHBZ RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHKUK RUEHMA
RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHROV RUEHTRO
DE RUEHKH #0006 0031254
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 031254Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4978
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS KHARTOUM 000006
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF FRONT OFFICE
AF/RSA FOR LOUIS MAZEL, LAURA GRIESMER, LEARNED DEES
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM SU
SUBJECT: SUDAN: HUMAN RIGHTS TRENDS REGARDING SEXUAL
ORIENTATION
REF: 09 STATE 130765
1. (SBU) In response to reftel A, same sex relationships are
considered illegal under Sudanese Criminal Code, Article 148,
as well as public order and Sharia laws in northern Sudan.
Conviction under these statutes carries the same punishment
as for adultery. Same-sex orientation citizens maintain a
discrete, low-profile presence throughout Sudan. Post is not
aware of any recent charges or convictions of individuals, in
either the north or south, based on their same-sex
orientation.
2. (SBU) Sudan is a religiously-conservative, predominantly
Muslim country in which sexual orientation is not openly
discussed. There are no gay rights movements in Sudan, nor
are there any anti-gay organizations. Post has no
information of any discrimination, harassment or arrests for
anyone engaging in same-sex relationships. There is no
pending or recently-passed, anti same-sex legislation. We
are also unaware of any plans underway to introduce such
legislation.
3. (SBU) Southern Sudan has a semi-autonomous government, and
is not under Sharia law. However, its citizens are also
subject to Sudanese Criminal Code, Article 148. As in the
north, there are no pending legislative actions in the
Government of Southern Sudan assembly to modify existing laws
or introduce new ones regarding same-sex relationships.
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