POSITION PAPER GLOBAL LGBT RIGHTS

Committee: Human Rights Council

Country: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Issue: Global LGBT Rights
Delegate : Ruchit Shrestha
The Federal Democratic Republic is adamant that it shall not decriminalize
Homosexuality. A homosexual act is never considered a victimless crime in
Ethiopian law; rather, the penal code recognizes it as an act of an aggressor
against a victim. Even more, homosexuality is against religious beliefs in the
country.
In the General Assembly, a proposed resolution supporting LGBT rights
originally submitted in 2008 by Frech and Dutch representatives was
supported and signed by 94 countries. However, homosexuality continues to
serve as an illegal act in 76 countries.
The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia firmly and very strongly
believes that sexual orientation is a choice rather than a natural
phenomenon, thus considers everyone against proper and socially
acceptable sexual orientation an antagonist to the nation.
A 2007 Pew Global Attitudes Project found 97% of Ethiopian residents said
that homosexuality should be rejected by society. With a concern for this
majority of population, Ethiopia shall continue to consider homosexuality a
crime, punishable by law. Current law in Ethiopia provides a 10-days to 3
years of prison for involvement in homosexual activities. People shall be
charged with "homosexuality" only for concrete evidence, thus ensuring the
protection of the innocents who are accused of involving in homosexual
activities.
Ethiopia fully believes in the right of self-determination of all sovereign
members of the United Nations. Ascribed to the political instabilities in the
country, Ethiopia would remind the United Nations of the possible threats of
foreign intervention and interference.