The Council of Europe has called upon Morocco to repeal its law banning same-sex acts
The Council of Europe (CoE) told Moroccan lawmakers to decriminalize a law banning and severely punishing gay sex.
The statement came as part of CoE’s bi-annual resolution evaluating Morocco’s reforms law reforms as required by its status as a ‘partner of democracy’ in the CoE, published yesterday (25 June).
CoE’s assembly expressed ‘serious concern that the Penal Code criminalizes consensual sexual relations between persons of the same sex, with penalties of between six months and three years in prison.’
It further noted that ‘there are recent reports of persons being imprisoned under this legislation, and calls on the Moroccan Parliament to initiate its repeal at the earliest opportunity.’
Article 489 of the Penal Code of Morocco criminalizes ‘lewd or unnatural acts with an individual of the same sex.’
Gay sex in Morocco and can be punished with anything from 6 months to 3 years imprisonment and a fine of 120 to 1200 dirhams (max €108 US$ 140), although the law is usually not enforced by the authorities.
Earlier this year, two Moroccan men caught having gay sex were arrested and jailed.
In 2012 a gay cruise ship operated by RSVP Vacations with over two thousand holidaymaker was reported to have been prevented from docking in Morocco.
Moroccan schools are required by law to teach a curriculum that ‘emphasises…the danger and depravity of unnatural acts.’
Moreover, on 21 March 2008, a statement issued by the Ministry of Interior revealed the full scope of the government’s agenda: to ‘preserve citizens’ ethics and defend our society against all irresponsible actions that mar our identity and culture.’
In 2010, the government permitted openly gay singer Elton John to give a performance during the Mawazine Festival, despite objections from the Islamist Justice and Development Party, which is the biggest opposition party in the parliament.
by Dan Littauer
Source – Gay Star News
