–Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International, in an open letter to Chad President Idriss Deby. Last month, government ministers in Chad approved a draft law which would criminalize homosexuality, with proposed sentences of up to 20 years and a fine of up to $962 (500,000 CFA francs). Ministers were quoted as stating the law would, “protect the family and comply with Chadian society.” According to Shetty, by letting the draft pass through parliament without intervention, Chad’s President will, “deny people their right to privacy, will institutionalise discrimination and enable the stigmatisation, harassment and policing of people who are, or are perceived to be gay.”

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