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VOA标准英语2009年-Rights Group Warns of Rwanda Anti-Gay

时间：2010-01-14 08:34:34

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A coalition1 of human rights groups is condemning2 a proposed amendment3 to Rwanda's criminal law that would criminalize homosexual behavior and advocacy.

Alan Boswell | Nairobi 17 December 2009

 
Meanwhile, Rwanda's northern neighbor, Uganda, is receiving heat for a "draconian4" anti-gay bill being debated in its legislature.

The coalition Observatory5 for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders6 says the draft language to criminalize homosexuality could be voted on in the Rwandan lower house of parliament by Friday.  The draft code would then pass to the Rwandan senate for approval.

The amended7 language for Article 217 acquired by the group would give offenders8 - those who "practice," "encourage," or "sensitize" someone of the same sex towards homosexual relations - a prison term of five to 10 years in addition to a hefty fine.

Homosexuality is not currently criminalized under Rwandan law.

A spokesperson for the coalition-partner International Federation9 for Human Rights, Pouline Kimani, says the bill violates basic human rights and could threaten the health and well-being10 of those who identify as part of the gay community.

"If this bill passes then it emphasizes on state-sponsored homophobia and also community homophobia, because it almost justifies11 the use violence against LGBTI [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex] persons based upon the fact that it will criminalize their identity," said Kimani.

Politicized anti-gay sentiment has recently been sweeping12 across east Africa.  Burundi earlier this year criminalized homosexuality.  Uganda has been debating an anti-gay bill that includes a possible death sentence for violators.  Kenya and Tanzania already have anti-gay laws, though homosexual rights activists13 fear that these laws could be expanded.

The anti-gay bills have been bolstered14 by a strengthening and organized conservative Christian15 evangelical movement in the region, as well as "anti-colonialist" emotions.  Many Africans claim homosexuality is a foreign import from the West.

Kimani says that the politicians do not fully16 realize the damaging consequences that criminalization can have.

"With observation of what has happened in east Africa since 2004 when Zanzibar put in the sodomy law, each and every of these east Africa countries is rushing towards having a bill against LGBTI persons without thinking of the effects of it," he said.

Activists say that criminalization of homosexuality discourages those in the gay community from seeking testing and medical care for HIV/AIDS for fears of being suspected.

The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders coalition is a joint17 venture of the International Federation of Human Rights and the World Organization Against Torture.
 


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1 coalition pWlyi     
n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合
参考例句：
  • The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
  • Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。
2 condemning 3c571b073a8d53beeff1e31a57d104c0     
v.（通常因道义上的原因而）谴责( condemn的现在分词 )；宣判；宣布…不能使用；迫使…陷于不幸的境地
参考例句：
  • The government issued a statement condemning the killings. 政府发表声明谴责这些凶杀事件。
  • I concur with the speaker in condemning what has been done. 我同意发言者对所做的事加以谴责。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
3 amendment Mx8zY     
n.改正，修正，改善，修正案
参考例句：
  • The amendment was rejected by 207 voters to 143.这项修正案以207票对143票被否决。
  • The Opposition has tabled an amendment to the bill.反对党已经就该议案提交了一项修正条款。
4 draconian Skvzd     
adj.严苛的；苛刻的；严酷的；龙一样的
参考例句：
  • You can't expect the people to obey such draconian regulations.你不能指望人民服从如此严苛的规定。
  • The city needs a draconian way of dealing with robbers.这个城市需要一个严苛的办法来对付强盗。
5 observatory hRgzP     
n.天文台，气象台，瞭望台，观测台
参考例句：
  • Guy's house was close to the observatory.盖伊的房子离天文台很近。
  • Officials from Greenwich Observatory have the clock checked twice a day.格林威治天文台的职员们每天对大钟检查两次。
6 defenders fe417584d64537baa7cd5e48222ccdf8     
n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者
参考例句：
  • The defenders were outnumbered and had to give in. 抵抗者寡不敌众，只能投降。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • After hard fighting,the defenders were still masters of the city. 守军经过奋战仍然控制着城市。 来自《简明英汉词典》
7 Amended b2abcd9d0c12afefe22fd275996593e0     
adj. 修正的 动词amend的过去式和过去分词
参考例句：
  • He asked to see the amended version. 他要求看修订本。
  • He amended his speech by making some additions and deletions. 他对讲稿作了些增删修改。
8 offenders dee5aee0bcfb96f370137cdbb4b5cc8d     
n.冒犯者( offender的名词复数 )；犯规者；罪犯；妨害…的人（或事物）
参考例句：
  • Long prison sentences can be a very effective deterrent for offenders. 判处长期徒刑可对违法者起到强有力的威慑作用。
  • Purposeful work is an important part of the regime for young offenders. 使从事有意义的劳动是管理少年犯的重要方法。
9 federation htCzMS     
n.同盟，联邦，联合，联盟，联合会
参考例句：
  • It is a federation of 10 regional unions.它是由十个地方工会结合成的联合会。
  • Mr.Putin was inaugurated as the President of the Russian Federation.普京正式就任俄罗斯联邦总统。
10 well-being Fe3zbn     
n.安康，安乐，幸福
参考例句：
  • He always has the well-being of the masses at heart.他总是把群众的疾苦挂在心上。
  • My concern for their well-being was misunderstood as interference.我关心他们的幸福，却被误解为多管闲事。
11 justifies a94dbe8858a25f287b5ae1b8ef4bf2d2     
证明…有理( justify的第三人称单数 )； 为…辩护； 对…作出解释； 为…辩解（或辩护）
参考例句：
  • Their frequency of use both justifies and requires the memorization. 频繁的使用需要记忆，也促进了记忆。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓
  • In my judgement the present end justifies the means. 照我的意见，只要目的正当，手段是可以不计较的。
12 sweeping ihCzZ4     
adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的
参考例句：
  • The citizens voted for sweeping reforms.公民投票支持全面的改革。
  • Can you hear the wind sweeping through the branches?你能听到风掠过树枝的声音吗？
13 activists 90fd83cc3f53a40df93866d9c91bcca4     
n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )
参考例句：
  • His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
  • Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》
14 bolstered 8f664011b293bfe505d7464c8bed65c8     
v.支持( bolster的过去式和过去分词 )；支撑；给予必要的支持；援助
参考例句：
  • He bolstered his plea with new evidence. 他举出新的证据来支持他的抗辩。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • The data must be bolstered by inferences and indirect estimates of varying degrees of reliability. 这些资料必须借助于推理及可靠程度不同的间接估计。 来自辞典例句
15 Christian KVByl     
adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒
参考例句：
  • They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
  • His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。
16 fully Gfuzd     
adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地
参考例句：
  • The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气，然后全部呼出。
  • They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。
17 joint m3lx4     
adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合
参考例句：
  • I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
  • We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

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