EU Recalls Tanzania Ambassador Amid Threats To LGBTs

The Associated Press reports:

The European Union has recalled its ambassador to Tanzania, citing “the deterioration of the human rights and rule of law situation” in the East African country where one regional official last week called for the outing and arrests of homosexuals.

A statement emailed to The Associated Press Monday said the EU will be conducting a broad review of its relations with Tanzania.

The statement does not cite specific issues, but there are fears of an impending crackdown against homosexuals after Dar es Salaam Commissioner Paul Makonda urged Tanzanians to spy on suspected gays and lesbians and to report their activities.

As I’ve previously reported, Dar Es Salaam governor Paul Makonda [photo above] has urged the public to turn in the names of LGBT locals, so that “my team will get them.” On Friday it was reported that thousands of LGBT Tanzanians have gone into hiding after Makonda received hundreds of names. Yesterday the US State Department issued a formal warning to LGBT Americans living there.