Mali: Two men saved from execution for being gay, following French intervention

[Fearless]

France and Mali’s armies, as well as those of other African nations, intervened in order to end a ten-month rebellion by Tuareg tribes. The forces drove Islamist Jihadists from the city of Gao, south eastern Mali.

Speaking to Reuters, one of the men saved from execution, Badou Ahmed, said he faced an unfair trial after being imprisoned for being gay.

He said: “During the trial, there were no defense witnesses, it was controlled. They told us they were going to cut our throats for being homosexual, even though another man said that without witness testimony, we should not be.”

The rebels had taken over the majority of northern Mali, and had been enforcing Sharia law, including ruling that gay people should be executed.

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/02/04/mali-two-men-saved-from-execution-for-being-gay-following-french-intervention/

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I don't think there's a better example of why equal rights are needed. There are places where this is considered acceptable. And there are plenty of people here, and everywhere, who would turn their heads the other way were it legal here.

[William769]

1. We also need to look at the two major areas of the world where this is acceptable

Well I won't say anymore because it ain't pretty.

[samsingh]

2. this is the reason for us to help Mali and intervene against the fundamentalist evil goons.