Tunisia: The Ennahda Party would not penalize homosexuality if they control the government
Riad Chaibi, member of the political board of Ennahda, the Islamic political party which is ahead in the Tunisian elections, assured the press Agency Efe that his party would not penalize atheism or homosexuality if they have a right to control the government (read the ABC site [es]). «They have a right to exist», he says, before adding in speaking more precisely of gays and lesbians, «it's a matter of dignity, since society despises them». The political leader explains that his model is rather more like the Islamist moderates of Turkey and Malaysia than those of Iran or Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality may get the death penalty.
According to Ilga, homosexuality is not legal in Tunisia and article 230 of the penal code stipulates that sodomy may be punishable by up to three years of imprisonment. Riad Chaibi does not say whether his party will ever reconsider such a law if they control the government.
Many thanks to Guy Estinvil (gestinvil@yahoo.com) for his translation.
The original article in French, on Yagg.
