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Homosexuality decriminalized in Mozambique

By Andrew V. Pestano

MAPUTO, Mozambique, July 1 (UPI) -- Homosexuality has been decriminalized in Mozambique after a revised Portuguese colonial penal law dating back to 1896 took effect Wednesday.

The colonial code would previously punish anyone "who habitually engages in vices against nature" to three years of hard labor. The move is regarded as largely symbolic as there have been no known prosecutions of homosexuals since Mozambique gained independence 40 years ago.

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But it an be seen as a signal of improving rights for the gay community in Mozambique, while Nigeria and Uganda are pushing strict anti-gay agendas.

"I am sure that African countries will look at their old laws and see that this is an important step to guarantee that society is free and equal," Danilo Da Silva, head of the Mozambican gay rights group Lambda, told BBC News.

Although Mozambique is not known for anti-gay sentiments, many in the country, made up of mostly Christians and Muslims, view promoting gay rights as an attack on cultural and religious practices. The country has a population of more than 25 million.

Nigeria has banned same-sex public displays of affection and also introduced legislation mandating a 14-year prison sentence for gay sex. About 87 percent of Nigerians support bans on same-sex relationships.

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Uganda is attempting to enact a new anti-gay law after a previous one was defeated in a constitutional court. Donors, including the United States, cut funding to Uganda in protest of the previous law.

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