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SUDAN: Report Cites Human Rights Abuses, Confiscation of Gay Novel

The government of Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir has responded to almost two years of protests and demonstrations with "arbitrary arrests, detention and torture," according to the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies, reports the Sudan Tribune. The popular uprisings began in January 2011 as part of the "Arab Spring" that toppled governments in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and Yemen.

Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services are reportedly blocking "online access to popular electronic newspapers and websites" and "confiscat[ing] printed materials"—including hundreds of copies of a pro-gay novel. Sudan is one of four African nations that boast the death penalty for gays or same-sex activity.

On 7 October the NISS confiscated two thousand books written by Abdal Aziz Baraka Sakin from the 8th International Book Fair held in Khartoum. The International Book Fair was held from 6 - 18 October 2012. Mr. Baraka is an emerging young Sudanese writer whose work focuses on diversity in Sudanese life and culture, particularly illuminating the daily lives of marginalised and hidden groups in Sudan. His novel Algango Masamir Alardh discusses Sudan’s gay community. Other work addresses the plight of street children.

On the morning of 7 October, a large security presence was noticed at the Book Fair. [3500] books by Mr. Baraka were confiscated later in the day [including] 400 copies of Algango Masamir Alardh (“Nails on the Ground”), 300 copies of Maseeh Darfur (“Jesus of Darfur”),  450 copies of Memory of the Alkhandaris, 250 copies of Women from Kampo Khadis...

The 49-year-old Sakin says he "fears for his life" and talks more about the censorship in an interview. All his books have been published in Egypt or Syria. The Guardian reported on the confiscation of Sakin's books last fall—but did not detail the content or storylines. More about the Sudan revolts at Al Jazeera.

The International Criminal Court in The Hague has charged President Omar al-Bashir with genocide and war crimes. So far, at least 300,000 people have been killed and more than 2.5 million displaced in the civil war between the Khartoum government and Darfur provinces.

In August 2012, cyber activists attacked government websites across Africa to protest anti-LGBT laws that discriminate, imprison or even condemn gays and lesbians to death. Sudan's virtual nertworks suffered the most damage. Sudan is one of four African nations that boast the death penalty for gays or same-sex activity. The other three are Mauritania, Nigeria and Somalia. At least 37 of Africa's 54 nations criminalize same-sex activity.

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LIBERIA: Pres. Johnson Sirleaf Will NOT Sign Proposed Anti-Gay Bill

There is good news and bad news from Liberia, which is emerging after two successive civil wars that left approximately 250,000 people dead. A small movement has organized around men who have sex with men (MSM), HIV/AIDS and gay rights in the West African nation.

First the bad news: As soon as tomorrow the Liberian senate could consider a proposal to strengthen the nation's existing anti-gay laws. The bill would make homosexuality a first degree felony and punishable by up to 10 years in prison, reports the South African Press Association and the AP. The bill was submitted by Sen. Jewel Taylor, former president Charles Taylor's ex-wife.

The current law considers gay relationships a first-degree misdemeanor, which carries a punishment of up to a year in prison. If passed by the Senate, the strengthened bill would then go the House and then the president.

Charles Taylor is currently being tried at the International Criminal Court in The Hague on an 11-count indictment for war crimes. His wife is restricted from leaving the country.

Now the good news: "Liberia's President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a recent Nobel Peace Prize winner, has said she will not sign any such bill into law," reports the Daily Mail and the AP.

Liberia is one of at least 38 of Africa's 54 nations that currently have laws penalizing same-sex relations or even sexuality. Four nations—Mauritania, Nigeria, Somalia and Sudan—boast the death penalty for gays or same-sex activity. South Africa and Seychelles are the only African nations that protect LGBT rights. South Africa is also the only African nation to guarantee marriage equality.

Liberia has a historic relationship with the United States dating back almost 200 years. The nation was founded by freed American slaves in 1820, Washington is its closest trade partner and it uses the US dollar as its national currency.

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ICC Refers Malawi to UN Security Council Over Sudan's Bashir

PHOTO: Reuters

The International Criminal Court in The Hague has referred the southern African nation of Malawi to the UN Security Council for refusing to arrest Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir.

Malawi and Chad hosted Bashir in October for trade summits. This was despite the fact there is an outstanding ICC arrest warrant for Bashir on charges of war crimes and genocide in Sudan's Darfur region.

Malawi, the court said, argued that customary international law creates an exception for heads of state wanted for international crimes. "The judges noted that immunity for heads of state before international courts has been rejected time and time again dating all the way back to World War I," the court said.

Bashir's case is fast becoming a regional flash point. "Many African leaders accuse the ICC of only investigating alleged war crimes in Africa and ignoring those committed elsewhere," notes the BBC. Last week, the Ivory Coast's ex-president became the first former head of state to face judges at the ICC.

Chad, Kenya and Djibouti have also been referred to the UN Security Council for refusing to arrest Mr Bashir, even though they recognise the ICC.

Last month, a Kenyan court criticised the government for failing to arrest Mr Bashir when he visited in August and issued its own warrant. Kenyan Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula said the government would appeal against the ruling and it would not arrest Mr Bashir if he visited again. "We have voiced concerns about the manner in which the ICC has been pursuing African leaders and leaving leaders with much, much heavier responsibility of human rights and murderous actions," he said, pointing to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

So far, at least 300,000 people have been killed and more than 2.5 million displaced in the civil war between the Khartoum government and Darfur provinces.

In related news: Gambian lawyer Fatou Bensouda has been officially elected as the ICC's new chief prosecutor . Bensouda becomes the first African to "hold the top post at a time when the ICC is almost exclusively focused on the continent," reports Al Jazeera.

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