Bahati says death penalty for gays was 'misunderstood'

by Susan Marie Kovalinsky | December 13, 2009 at 10:41 am

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A Ugandan MP accused of calling for a "gay death penalty" says he has been misrepresented and is only trying to criminalise child abusers. David Bahati says the new offence of "aggravated homosexuality" is a penalty against "defilement" of under-18s. "There has been a distortion in the media that we are providing death for gays. That is not true," he said. "When a homosexual defiles a kid of less than 18 years old, we are providing a penalty for this."

Uganda MP David Bahati

Uganda's MP David Bahati has told the BBC that the death penalty clause in the antigay bill was only intended to prevent the molestation of those under 18.

The extreme bill and its Draconian clauses began to draw international condemnation recently, and has been denounced by the White House, MSNBC's Rachel Maddow, and even the Reverend Rick Warren in a video statement.

Warren was accused of being part of an American ministry which was secretly encouraging the Ugandan anti-homosexuality legislation.

Now Public Editor Rhonda Mangus has written features on reaction to the Ugandan bill, most recently here and here.

"Learned behaviour can be unlearned," said David Bahati. "You can't tell me that people are born gays. It is foreign influence that is at work."
Bahati has just presented his anti-homosexuality bill 2009 to Uganda's parliament. The bill, which will be debated within a fortnight and is expected to become law by February, will allow homosexuality to be punishable by death.

"Most people have misunderstood the bill," Bahati told the Observer. "The section of the death penalty relates to defilement by an adult who is homosexual and this is consistent with the law on defilement which was passed in 2007. The whole intention is to prevent the recruitment of under-age children, which is going on in single-sex schools. We must stop the recruitment and secure the future of our children."

There is wide support for Bahati's law which, while being an extreme piece of anti-gay legislation, is not unique. As far as gay rights are concerned, it would appear that much of Africa is going backwards. Nigeria has a similar bill waiting to reach its statute books and already allows the death penalty for homosexuality in northern states, as does Sudan. Burundi criminalised homosexuality in April this year, joining 37 other African nations where gay sex is already illegal. Egypt and Mali are creeping towards criminalisation, using morality laws against same-sex couples.

The Ugandan bill extends existing laws to make it illegal to promote homosexuality by talking or writing about it, and forcing people to tell the authorities about anyone they know who is gay. The bill, said Bahati, 35, an MP from the ruling party, aims to "protect the cherished culture of the people of Uganda against the attempts of sexual rights activists seeking to impose their values of sex promiscuity on the people of Uganda".

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Hugh Askew

at 14:00 on December 13th, 2009

I think in fairness, and to illustrate the overall attitude of the leadership in Uganda at the moment, a link to : http://my.nowpublic.com/world/uganda-bans-female-circumcision

Rhonda J Mangus

at 14:49 on December 13th, 2009

Thanks for picking up the coverage, smk! Would you mind adding the tags 'religion' and 'sexuality' so the story will also appear on those NowPublic Special News Coverage channels. Thanks!

Susan Marie Kovalinsky

at 18:03 on December 13th, 2009

Will do so now...... ; )

Rhonda J Mangus

at 18:07 on December 13th, 2009

Better late, than never:)! Thanks!

Rhonda J Mangus

at 18:32 on December 13th, 2009

Roy, I think I mentioned to you on another comment thread that I would never ignore human rights violations because they don't involve 'Christianity'. I think I also mentioned that I am researching other nations. It just so happens now, Uganda is in the spotlight. And being in the spotlight is bringing a lot of issues to light about the nature of US Fundamentalism and the US Government's role in it.

In any event, ILGA State sponsored homophobia 2009.

Karen Hatter

at 19:22 on December 13th, 2009

Well said, Rhonda.

The reason focus has been on those alleged adherents to Christianity has been the Religious Right Wing's involvement in all areas of U.S. politics with many, such as Tony Perkins and his organization, Family Research Council, exporting their politics internationally as well.

No such deeply rooted, religious influence peddling, of the magnitude of the extreme Religious Right, has been uncovered as being carried out by adherents of other religions, that is, any who have been said to be United States' citizens.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 19:29 on December 13th, 2009

Thank you, Karen!:)

Karen Hatter

at 18:12 on December 14th, 2009

You're welcome!

Rhonda J Mangus

at 18:57 on December 13th, 2009

Roy, I'm not sure, but I think I should be insulted by your comment:). Thanks again for sharing your opinion!:)

Rhonda J Mangus

at 19:26 on December 13th, 2009

You might very well be insulted if I did post a substantial comment of the particulars:)! And I would not want to do that:)!

Likewise:)!

Hugh Askew

at 03:04 on December 14th, 2009

I've noticed a very strong tendency to decry their efforts in the democratic process, and to smear Christians.

Also noticed that when the liberal "Christians" join with whatever movement or group is doing the complaining, that the whining stops.

Someone much smarter than i might be tempted to think that the liberals are simply practicing bigotry, under the assumption that it is allowed them, due to the overwhelming superiority of their position.

'course, i would never think that, lacking in the higher reasoning skills as i am.

Hugh Askew

at 03:06 on December 14th, 2009

Any Catholics in Uganda? Maybe this bill is aimed at them?

"The section of the death penalty relates to defilement by an adult who is homosexual and this is consistent with the law on defilement which was passed in 2007. The whole intention is to prevent the recruitment of under-age children, which is going on in single-sex schools. We must stop the recruitment and secure the future of our children."