Expression – from civil society activity to art – was repeatedly restricted in Africa in 2018 due to homophobic views in the region.[1]
In August, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights withdrew the Council of African Lesbians’ observer status, following the African Union’s decision that ‘African values’ need to be considered in the granting of such status.
The African Union order came from the Executive Council’s directive, which also included ‘the virtues of historical tradition and the values of African civilization’ in its approach to human rights.[2]
Tanzania’s atrocities against the LGBTQ+ community continued in 2018.
[1]ARTICLE 19, Kenya: Court Rules to Temporarily Remove Ban on Rafiki Film, 27 September 2018, available at https://www.article19.org/resources/kenya-court-rules-to-temporarily-remove-ban-on-rafiki-film/
[2] ARTICLE 19, ACHPR: Withdrawing Coalition of African Lesbians’ Observer Status Threatens Civil Society Participation, 18 October 2018, available at https://www.article19.org/resources/achpr-concern-with-decision-to-withdraw-coalition-of-african-lesbians-observer-status/