Rwanda has a bill, too
Update: The bill will be debated in parliament next week according to APA.
And then there is the case of the AMiA, the Rwandan branch of ACNA. What does it have to say about the anti-homosexuals bill before the Rwandan parliament? The one that states:
Any person who practices, encourages or sensitizes people of the same sex, to sexual relation or any sexual practice, shall be liable for a term of imprisonment ranging from five (5) to ten (10) years and fine ranging from Two Hundred thousand Rwanda Francs (200.000 RwF) to one million (1,000,000) Rwanda francs.”Box Turtle Bulletin points out, "The fines range from US$350 to US$1750. The average annual income is just US$370."Read about the AMiA's connection to the Anglican Church of Rwanda at AMiA's website.
In February of 2007 the Archbishop of Rwanda, Emmanuel Kolini, equated homosexuality with moral genocide, and the consecration of Gene Robinson with “satanic attack on the church of God.” In September of 2007 he made it clear he favors the criminalization of homosexuality, saying, "Even when the government decides to legalise homosexuality our church will not accept it its totally illegal and un-Godly."
There's no evidence Kolini has spoken to the bill expanding the criminalization of homosexuality. But his past rhetoric certainly fosters the environment.
The Family is working behind the scenes to stop the Ugandan kill gays bill from becoming law. It would be nice to know if ACNA and its overseas allies allies are doing the same -- in Uganda and Rwanda.
Last month Rwanda became only the second non former British colony to be admitted into the Commonwealth of Nations. Uganda says it helped Rwanda join. Ironically, on the sidelines of the Commonwealth meetings, the prime ministers of Canada and the UK took Uganda to task for the anti-homosexuals bill moving through its parliament. More here.
There were reports that the lower house of parliament was scheduled to vote on the bill today.
All I can find is that they debated attendance records and a dress code for parliamentarians.
http://www.newtimes.co.rw/index.php?issue=14112&article=23802
Quoting:
The legislators meeting in an extra-ordinary session unanimously endorsed a report presented by the Committee in charge of conduct of Deputies and assessment of the Chamber’s activities, with most of the MP’s agreeing on an appropriate dress code in line with their status.
The report presented a fortnight ago by the Chairperson of the Committee, Aimable Nibishaka, highlighted flaws and inappropriate dressing by the members during sessions, hence calling for a need to establish a standard dress code like it is done in most parliaments.
...
A report indicating the number of times each MP missed parliamentary sessions caused an uproar with some lawmakers arguing that it indicated absenteeism even in situations where MPs were on official duty with the knowledge of the Speaker.
Posted by John B. Chilton![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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December 16, 2009 8:15 PM
Any person who practices, encourages or sensitizes people of the same sex, to sexual relation or any sexual practice
"...sensitizes people of ths same sex": what the h*ll?! :-0
Thanks for the info. A friend of a friend attends an AMiA congregation---I intend to find out how she feels about this!
JC Fisher
Posted by tgflux![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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December 16, 2009 8:32 PM
I wonder if the people up the street who are poaching members of my church are remotely aware of what their AMiA affiliation is doing? It's sickening.
Posted by Lee Alison![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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December 17, 2009 1:35 PM