Homophobic attacks should not be Tolerated or Condoned in Rwandan Society-says rights group

By The Inspirer Writer.

 Human rights First Rwanda Association has called for an end to systemic stigma, violence, and, discrimination based on sexual orientation, genderidentity and expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) which make lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) people amongthe most marginalized members of our community.

 In a statement, the association said the reigniting of hate speech against the LGBTI community has also again sparked the issue of criminalization of the group.

“In the past few months, we have seen a spate of attacks directed towards people perceived or who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender and Intersex through social media, radio, and T|V stations,” Reads part of the statement.

“This vicious cycle of hatred against LGBTI people is being fueled every day. It impacts on their social inclusion and hinders their access to healthcare, education, housing, employment, personal security, and freedom from violence,” it added.

 The statement added that stigma at the root of violence and discrimination corrodes the social fabric. It affects values of fundamental importance, such as empathy, social inclusion, and solidarity.

“Positive and inclusive measures need to be taken on a legal and policy level, in full recognition and celebration of a diverse society,” reads the statement.

Human rights First Rwanda Association Lawyer Me Musangwa Jonathan emphasized that it is time we all spoke up against the continued attack on the LGBTI community ‘’hate speech is punishable under the penal code of Rwanda.” he said.

According to the Rwanda Penal code on the Law determining offenses and penalties in general Nº68/2018 of 30/08/2018, Article 164 prohibits instigating divisions.

According to the law, A person who makes use of speech, writing, or any other act which divides people or may set them against each other or cause civil unrest on the basis of discrimination, commits an offense.

It adds that, A person convicted of committing one of the acts referred to under paragraph one of this Article is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than five (5) years but not more than seven (7) years and a fine of not less than five hundred thousand Rwandan francs (FRW 500,000) but not more than one million Rwandan francs (FRW 1,000,000).”

 However, Musangwa says little has been done to the perpetrators as the responsibility for hate crimes rests with the perpetrators themselves and we all share a duty to counter intolerance and prejudice.

“Some have threatened to burn the clothes of a famous Rwanda designer and others have called to boycott all clothes from Moshions house for allegedly being gay,” he says. Adding that “some famous football promoters have taken to social media and other media outlets to spark the populace against the LGBTI community,”

Accordingly, the association says respect for the rights of persons, regardless of their sexual orientation, is one of the main criteria for respect for human rights in general above all, it is necessary to continue to combat stereotypes and prejudices in all possible ways.

It notes that this requires urgent action to combat Homophobia tendencies from State actors, including legislative, judicial, and executive, as well as non-State actors such as civil society, faith-based communities, the media, workers’ unions, and the private sector.