Homosexuality is a crime in 70 countries

Over 70 Countries Consider Homosexuality a Crime

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (Reuters) – More than 70 countries consider homosexuality a crime and 30 of those violate the human rights of homosexuals, Amnesty International said in a report published on Friday.

The report, entitled « Crimes of hate, conspiracy of silence, » focused on 30 countries where human rights abuses against homosexuals have been documented. It was released in Argentina, where homosexuality is legal but homosexuals are still persecuted, the group said.

« All over the world gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transsexuals and transvestites are at risk, especially of being victimized by human rights violations because of their sexual identity, » Ignacio Sainz, one of the authors of the report, told journalists.

Amnesty International blamed the Argentine government for the February death of a homosexual in police custody. The report included information about the persecution of homosexuals and transvestites in Mexico and Ecuador as well as countries in Africa and Eastern Europe.