The United States of America, had on Friday, said that it was troubled by comments from Burundian President, Evariste Ndayishimiye, who last week urged all citizens of the African country to stone gay people.
The comments led to a heightened crackdown on sexual minorities in a country where LGBT people already face social repudiation and jail terms of up to two years if found guilty of same-sex offenses.
The statement by the Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller read:
“The United States is very troubled by President Ndayishimiye’s remarks earmarking certain vulnerable and marginalized Burundians.”“We urge all of Burundi’s leaders to honour the inherent dignity and inalienable rights, including equal access to justice, of all members of Burundian society.”
The statement had not referred particularly to the remarks about stoning.
Recall that in May 2023, the Ugandan government passed a law that carried the death sentence for defined categories of same-sex offences.
The United States had reacted by imposing a range of sanctions including travel restrictions and barring Uganda from a tariff-free trade deal.
