Dokument #1357526
IRB – Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (Autor)
Behind the Mask, a Website on gay and lesbian affairs in Africa, and the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) claim that homosexuality is illegal in Sierra Leone (ILGA 18 July 2003; Behind the Mask n.d.). However, Behind the Mask's profile for Sierra Leone includes a report from 22 August 2003 which states that the Sierra Leone Lesbian and Gay Association (SLLAGA) has been registered with the Sierra Leone Ministry of Development and Economic Planning and the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children's Affairs.
Documentary references to the situation of gays, lesbians and bisexuals in Sierra Leone are scarce. One recent article by Agence France Presse (AFP) describes the critical views that some Sierra Leoneans have of the Archbishop of Cantebury's tolerance of gay ministers and homosexual relationships (27 July 2003). The Archbishop's 23-31 July 2003 trip to Ghana, Sierra Leone and Gambia, to promote solidarity amongst Anglican communities (Archbishop of Canterbury 21 July 2003) was, according to AFP, clouded by controversy over the appointment of gay ministers in the Anglican church (AFP 27 July 2003). AFP reported that local African churches have "denounced homosexuality as an abomination" (ibid.).
AFP also reported that Sierra Leonean media sources published, in advance of the Archbishop's arrival, commentaries submitted by their readers that "overwhelmingly condemn[ed] homosexuality in the church" (ibid.). The government-run Sierra News wrote that "[h]omosexuals should not be rewarded with leadership and their perverse lifestyles endorsed" (AFP 27 July 2003).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Agence France Presse (AFP). 27 July
2003. "Anglican Church Leader Faces New Criticism in Sierra Leone
Over Gays." (Dialog)
Archbishop of Canterbury. 21 July 2003.
"Archbishop of Canterbury to Visit West Africa." http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/releases/030721.html
[Accessed 10 Dec. 2003]
Behind the Mask. 22 August 2003.
"Lesbian and Gay Organisation Registered." http://www.mask.org.za/SECTIONS/AfricaPerCountry/ABC/sierra%20leone/sierra%20leone_3.htm
[Accessed 4 Dec. 2003]
_____. n.d. "About Sierra Leone." http://www.mask.org.za/SECTIONS/AfricaPerCountry/ABC/sierra%20leone/sierra%20leone_index.html
[Accessed 4 Dec. 2003]
International Lesbian and Gay
Association (ILGSA). 18 July 2003. "World Legal Survey: Sierra
Leone." http://www.ilga.org/Information/legal_survey/africa/sierraleone.htm
[Accessed 4 Dec. 2003]
Additional Sources Consulted
Dialog
IRB Databases
Unsuccessful attempts to contact the
Sierra Leone Lesbian and Gay Association and the International Gay
(SLLAGA) and Lesbian Human Rights Commission within the time
constraints of this Response.
Academic sources were unable to provide
information on the above-mentioned topic.
Internet sites, including:
Africa Online
The African
Afrol.com
Al-Fatiha
AllAfrica.com
Amnesty International
Archbishop of Canterbury
BBC Africa
Behind the Mask
Global Gayz.com
Human Rights Watch
International Lesbian and Gay
Association
International Gay and Lesbian Human
Rights Commission
Republic of Sierra Leone, State House
Online
Republic of Sierra Leone, Ministry of
Welfare, Gender and Children's Affairs
World News Connection
Search engine:
Google
The situation of homosexuals and bisexuals [SLE42226.E] (Anfragebeantwortung, Französisch)