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Useful website for LGBT Africa: http://www.mask.org.za/ Also see: Gay
Islam Reports 1998-2002
By
BTM Horn of Africa correspondent, Harrow Johannesburg
Despite the fact that homosexuality is legal under the interim Eritrean law. Asmara Military Police say those whom they arrested were involved in gay behaviour, gathering in a public bathroom in mid-town Asmara, the county's capital. After some days spent in the Capital, Military Police then transferred the men to Diabeto, outside Asmara to the north. Diabeto at this time is known as a place where perhaps thousands of political prisoners are held.
Those
prisoners who are hidden from the international community, possibly
for capital
penalization. According to
one
source in
Asmara, no
legal
case has been opened against
these people. Even government hides them
from
their families and friends.
Observers say that last year, in a similar case,
the Government radio, Dimitshafash,
and TV- Eri (national TV station) aired programmes
on the dangers of
homosexuality and
displayed 5
gay men from the house of detention.
In that case, friends and family were
still not told where the men
were being held. According to the unimplemented Eritrea law, homosexuality
is
legal but
still detention
is protracted. |