GAMBIAN PRESIDENT THREATENS TO BEHEAD GAYS
Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has threatened to behead gay
1 MIN READ
Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has threatened to behead gays unless they leave the country, according to reports.
"The Gambia is a country of believers ... sinful and immoral practices [such] as homosexuality will not be tolerated in this country," the president told a crowd at a political rally on May 15, local journalists said.
He went on to say he would "cut off the head" of any gay person caught in Gambia.
"The Gambia is a country of believers ... sinful and immoral practices [such] as homosexuality will not be tolerated in this country," the president told a crowd at a political rally on May 15, local journalists said.
He went on to say he would "cut off the head" of any gay person caught in Gambia.
The anti-gay campaign continued in the Gambian pro-government media this week with the Daily Observer publishing a virulent
editorial.
"We have said it before and we will say it again. This is a Muslim and Christian country. Both the Koran and the holy Bible condemn homosexuality - pure and simple,"
the paper wrote.
British gay rights group Outrage today said the Gambian leader's comments came as no surprise.
British gay rights group Outrage today said the Gambian leader's comments came as no surprise.
"Jammeh has a long history of homophobia," spokesman Peter Tatchell said.
"If he tries to carry out these threats, international aid donors are likely to withdraw their support, and foreign tourists will stay
away in droves, thereby damaging the Gambian economy," he added.
The tourism industry is vital to Gambia's economy as the West African nation lacks other natural resources.
The tourism industry is vital to Gambia's economy as the West African nation lacks other natural resources.
Jammeh drew condemnation from African AIDS groups after he claimed in January to have found a "miracle" treatment for HIV/AIDS.
The method was based on medicinal plants and a Koranic verse. All participants were ordered to give up their antiretroviral drugs.
— SOURCES
- (Sources: AFP, 23/05/2008)
KEEP READING
ALL THE NEWS · DEATH PENALTY On the same front
DEATH PENALTYSEPTEMBER 2, 2026
IRAN - Aziz Roshanayi executed in Shiraz on September 2
DEATH PENALTYSEPTEMBER 2, 2026
IRAN - 3 men executed in Mashhad on September 2
DEATH PENALTYAUGUST 31, 2026
Pakistan: ASI sentenced to death for killing two brothers in Swabi
DEATH PENALTYAUGUST 31, 2026
Bangladesh: HC confirms death sentence of lone accused for rape, murder of 8-year-old Asiya
DEATH PENALTYAUGUST 31, 2026
IRAN - Mojtaba Salahi Laghani executed in Rasht on September 2
DEATH PENALTYAUGUST 30, 2026