Burundi: New legislation abolishes death penalty; bans homosexuality

On the one hand, the new code abolishes the death penalty and makes torture, genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity punishable offences. [...] Amnesty International welcomed the abolition of the death penalty in Burundi, saying that it further strengthens the international trend away from executions. [...] But the organization said this good news is undermined by the government’s decision to criminalize homosexuality, in violation of Burundi’s obligations under international and regional human rights law. [...] It also flies in the face of Burundi’s constitution, which guarantees the right to privacy. [...] According to the penal code, those found guilty of engaging in consensual same sex relations risk imprisonment of two to three years and a fine of 50,000 to 100,000 Burundian francs (42 to 84 US dollars).