NAIROBI — Angola has abolished a colonial-era law widely interpreted as banning same-sex relations.
The southern African country’s parliament also declared it unlawful to discriminate against anyone on the basis of their sexual orientation, instituting a two-year jail term for violating it.
Angola, which gained independence from Portugal in 1975, has had no documented prosecutions for same-sex conduct under the old law, according to Human Rights Watch. But the organization maintained that the decision would still ensure greater protection of the Angolan LGBT community, which has reported instances of discrimination when seeking health care services.
“They are taking a proactive step in preventing discrimination, rather than just getting rid of a discriminatory law,” Human Rights Watch Director of LGBT reform Graeme Reid told BuzzFeed News.
Last year’s legal status granted to Angola’s only LGBT advocacy group, Iris Angola, gave an early indication that the courts would revise the colonial relic.
Angola joins two other Portuguese-speaking African countries — São Tomé and Príncipe in 2012 and Cape Verde in 2004, respectively — to decriminalize same-sex conduct.
“In casting aside this archaic and insidious relic of the colonial past, Angola has eschewed discrimination and embraced equality,” Human Rights Watch’s statement said. “The 69 other countries around the world that still criminalize consensual same-sex conduct should follow its lead.”
Angolans and others around the world went on Twitter to celebrate the landmark decision.
Angola has abolished a law widely interpreted to be a ban on homosexuality. You can now face upto 2 years in prison for discriminating against people on the basis of sexual orientation or refusing to employ or provide services to individuals based on their sexual orientation.
Congratulations to all those who worked tirelessly to bring about decriminalization of sexual acts btw people of the same sex in Angola. ✊🏾 This is testament to the fact that when we continue to push, we can get justice and equality no matter where we are or who we love. ❤️🏳️🌈💃🏻
I'm happy for Angola. As a former colony, decriminalizing homosexuality and banning LGBTQ discrimination is a huge step forward in the decolonization process. We're reclaiming our power by scrapping one colonial law at a time. Our ancestors will be proud.
Angola have abolished a colonial-era law that criminalised and victimised LGBTQ+ people
While the US was busy trying to ban Transgender people from serving in the military- Angola decriminalize homosexual acts.
Some good news for once! ANGOLA has become the first country of 2019 to decriminalise homosexuality, a much needed change of direction on the African continent. Party time in Luanda. Congrats!!! ✌️🇦🇴🏳️🌈 #LGBT
Angola has decriminalised homosexuality! Huge congratulations to #LGBT Angolans who are no longer seen as criminals because of who they love as the colonial penal code is scrapped. #loveislove
Kenyans in particular took an interest in the abolishment; their high court will hand down a decision related to its penal code provisions on same-sex conduct next month.
Congratulations #Angola. We hope that this trend continues especially with #repeal162 in Kenya happening soon.
Thank You Angola.. You did not wait to be compelled by court rulings to strike anti-homosexuality laws. On Wednesday 23rd January 2019, Angola's parliament chose #HumanRights when they adopted the new Penal Code doing away with clauses that decriminalized same sex conduct.
Angola has done we too can do it. There is no justification whatsoever as to why it should be done.. It should be done unconditionally because what tells apart a mature democracy and a mediocre one is how they treat vulnerable and minority groups 28 days to #Repeal162Ruling