LGBT rights in Namibia

LGBT rights in Namibia

Same-sex sexual activity legal? Male illegal since 1920
Discrimination protections No[1]
Family rights
Recognition of
relationships		 No
Adoption No

Namibia has a history lacking of laws supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) citizens. Discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is not banned in Namibia. Households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex couples.

In November 2012, the LGBT community celebrated the crowing of Ricardo Amunjera as Mr Gay Namibia. The pagent took place at a theatre-restaurant in the capital city, Windhoek. Amunjera went on to later marry his life partner in 2013.[2]

Legality of same-sex sexual activity

Sexual activity between women is legal in Namibia. Sodomy between men remains a crime in the country according to the Roman-Dutch common-law, which was imposed by the South Africans. Namibia kept this law on the books after it became independent in 1990.[1][3] However, there are no cases in which this law was ever enforced.[4]

In August 2016, the United Nations Human Rights Committee released a report in Windhoek, Namibia's capital city, calling on the country to abolish its sodomy ban.[5] Reacting to the Committee's call, John Walters, the Ombudsman of Namibia, whose office is mandated to promote and protect human rights, said that people should be free to live their lives as they see fit. Walters said:[4][6]

I think the old sodomy law has served its purpose. How many prosecutions have there been? I believe none over the past 20 years. If we don’t prosecute people, why do we have the act.

Recognition of same-sex relationships

The Ombudsman of Namibia, spoke in August 2016 on the matter of same-sex marriage and said the following:[4]

If people of the same sex would like to get married, it is their choice, whether the country, the community, churches and government acknowledge that [is something else].

Discrimination protections

Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity is not outlawed in Namibia.

In August 2016, the United Nations Human Rights Committee called on the Government to adopt legislation explicitly prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation, including in the Labour Act (Act No. 11 of 2007).[5] Following the Committee's call, the Ombudsman of Namibia, argued that a measure prohibiting discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation needs to be in the Constitution.[4]

Hate crimes

LGBT people in Namibia face discrimination, harassment and violence. Additionally, similarly to neighboring South Africa, lesbians are occasionally the victims of so-called corrective rape, where male rapists purport to raping the lesbian victim with the intent of curing her of her sexual orientation.[5]

In August 2016, the United Nations Human Rights Committee called on Namibia to adopt hate crime legislation punishing homophobic and transphobic violence, and vigorously enforce it.[5]

Public opinion

A 2016 Afrobarometer opinion poll found that 55% of Namibians would welcome or would not be bothered having a homosexual neighbor. Namibia was one of the only four countries polled with a majority in favor.[7] (the others being South Africa, Cape Verde and Mozambique)

Living conditions

In 2005, the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration, Teopolina Mushelenga, claimed that lesbians and gay men betrayed the fight for Namibian freedom, were responsible for the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and were an insult to African culture.[8] In 2001, President Sam Nujoma warned about forthcoming purges against gays and lesbians in Namibia, saying "the police must arrest, imprison and deport homosexuals and lesbians found in Namibia."[9] Home Affairs Minister Jerry Ekandjo in 2000 urged 700 newly graduated police officers to "eliminate" gays and lesbians "from the face of Namibia".[10]

Mr. Gay Namibia 2011, Wendelinus Hamutenya, was the victim of a homophobic assault in December 2011 in Windhoek.[11]

In December 2013, McHenry Venaani, the president of the Democratic Turnhalle Alliance, spoke out in favor of LGBT rights and said that people should be allowed to live their private lives without interference.[12]

Summary table

Same-sex sexual activity legal For male (not enforced) (Under consideration) / For female
Equal age of consent For male (Not enforced) (Under consideration) / For female
Anti-discrimination laws in employment only (Under consideration)
Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services (Under consideration)
Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (Incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech) (Under consideration)
Same-sex marriages (Under consideration)
Recognition of same-sex couples (Under consideration)
Step-child adoption by same-sex couples (Under consideration)
Joint adoption by same-sex couples (Under consideration)
Gays and lesbians allowed to serve openly in the military (Under consideration)
Right to change legal gender (Under consideration)
Access to IVF for lesbians
Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples
MSMs allowed to donate blood

See also

References

  1. 1 2 State-sponsored Homophobia A world survey of laws prohibiting same sex activity between consenting adults
  2. ↑ MIYANICWE (2013-04-17). "Everyday is a honeymoon for Mr Gay Namibia and his life partne".
  3. ↑ Where is it illegal to be gay?
  4. 1 2 3 4 Namibia’s ombudsman calls for same-sex marriage amidst UN report furore
  5. 1 2 3 4 UN wants homosexuality legalised in Namibia
  6. ↑ Let gays be – Walters The Namibian
  7. ↑ Africa’s most and least homophobic countries
  8. ↑ "Namibia: African NGOs Respond to Statement by Namibian Deputy Minister on Gays and Lesbians 'Betraying the fight for freedom'", International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission, 13 September 2005
  9. ↑ "Namibian president announces purges against gays", afrol.com, 20 March 2001
  10. ↑ "Namibia gay rights row", BBC News, 2 October 2000
  11. ↑ "Mr. Gay Namibia Assaulted", advocate.com, reported by Michelle Garcia, 12 December 2011
  12. ↑ Namibian political leader stands up for gay rights

External links

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