VZCZCXRO7656
PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO
DE RUEHDS #3027/01 3640509
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 300509Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7286
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 3466
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 1976
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEPADJ/CJTF HOA PRIORITY
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEWMFD/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 003027 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF FRONT OFFICE 
ALSO AF/RSA FOR LOUIS MAZEL, LAURA GRIESMER, LEARNED DEES 
AF/E FOR JOEL WIEGERT 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM PGOV ET
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA: HUMAN RIGHTS TRENDS REGARDING SEXUAL 
ORIENTATION 
 
REF: STATE 130765 
 
Summary 
-------- 
 
¶1. (SBU) Ethiopia is a conservative society, as the vast 
majority of the population identifies itself as Ethiopian 
Orthodox Christian or Muslim.  Leaders of both religious 
groups have denounced homosexuality.  Homosexual conduct 
between adults is criminalized under Ethiopian law and 
punishable by up to ten years imprisonment.  Post is not 
aware of any cases of homosexual conduct as such that have 
been prosecuted in recent years.  In December 2008, a local 
organization named "United for Life" organized nearly a dozen 
religious leaders to sign a resolution urging lawmakers to 
ban homosexuality in the constitution.  The Government of 
Ethiopia took no action as a result of this resolution.  Post 
is aware of very few reports of violence against lesbian, 
gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals; however, 
reporting may be limited due to fears of retribution.  The 
anecdotal reports post is aware of come from credible sources 
and include forced marriages and rapes of LGBT individuals. 
End Summary. 
 
Criminal Codes and Prosecution 
------------------------------- 
 
¶2. (U) Homosexual conduct is criminalized under Articles 
629-632 of the Ethiopian penal code.  Homosexual conduct 
between adults is punishable by up to ten years imprisonment. 
 Homosexual conduct between an adult male and a male aged 
13-18 is punishable by imprisonment from three to 15 years; 
between an adult male and an a male under age 13 is 
punishable by imprisonment from 15 to 25 years; and between 
an adult female and a minor female (any age) is punishable by 
imprisonment not exceeding ten years.  Homosexual conduct 
involving a subordinate relationship (e.g., guardian, 
teacher, employer) and homosexual prostitution are punishable 
by one to ten years imprisonment.  (Note:  Post concludes 
there is not an appreciable level of homosexual prostitution 
or sex tourism in Ethiopia.  End note.)  Imprisonment for 
life may theoretically be imposed in cases where "sexual 
outrage has caused the death or grave physical or mental 
injury upon the victim, or where the victim is driven to 
suicide by distress, shame, or despair."  Post is not aware 
of any cases of homosexual conduct that have been prosecuted 
in recent years or any pending cases for homosexual acts 
between adults. 
 
Public Attitudes 
---------------- 
 
¶3. (SBU) Ethiopia is a conservative society, as the vast 
majority of the population identifies as Ethiopian Orthodox 
Christian or Muslim.  Leaders of both religious groups have 
denounced homosexuality.  In the past year, post received 
limited reports of violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, 
and transgender (LGBT) individuals;  however, reporting may 
have been scarce due to fears of retribution, discrimination, 
or stigmatization.  The anecdotal reports post is aware of 
come from credible sources and include forced marriages and 
rapes of LGBT individuals. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Despite these negative attitudes, a thriving LGBT 
social scene exists in Addis Ababa.  Parties are generally 
unannounced and held in private homes or bars, with 
invitations distributed via word of mouth or text messaging. 
Post contacts report that events are held at least on a 
weekly basis, with attendance of more than 50 people not 
unusual.  Such events have been forced to relocate, sometimes 
on short notice, because of real or perceived threats to the 
establishments where they are held.  However, no arrests or 
harassment have been reported linked to these social events. 
As in other countries, urban residents and young people are 
likely to be more tolerant of homosexual behavior when 
compared to their rural and elder counterparts, but even 
among this group conservative views dominate. 
 
Recent Advocacy Campaigns 
------------------------- 
 
ADDIS ABAB 00003027  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
¶5. (SBU) In December 2008, nearly a dozen religious leaders 
signed a resolution against homosexuality, urging lawmakers 
to endorse a ban on homosexual activity in the constitution. 
No action was taken by the government on this request.  This 
effort was led by the organization "United for Life," which 
also campaigned against abortion rights. 
MUSHINGI