Human rights groups blast Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009

by Rhonda J Mangus | October 18, 2009 at 05:46 am

1708 views | 83 Recommendations | 15 comments

Human rights groups blast Uganda's anti-homosexuality bill, which includes a section that would introduce the death penalty for the offence of "aggravated homosexuality." The draft Anti-Homosexuality Bill was introduced on October 14, 2009 in Uganda's parliament. The Anti-Homosexuality Bill clearly violates the human right to non-discrimination, to be free from violence and harassment, the right to life, the right to be free from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and freedom of movement.

Uganda's Penal Code Article 145a of the Penal Code Act of 1950 already criminalizes "carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature" – a charge used to prosecute, persecute and blackmail LGBT people with the threat of life imprisonment.

The bill proposes stricter penalties for homosexual acts, already illegal in the East African nation, and the death penalty for anyone who engages in same-sex relations with children under 18 and disabled people or who is HIV-positive while having gay sex.

"This bill is a blow to the progress of democracy in Uganda," David Kato of Sexual Minorities Uganda said in a statement on Thursday. "Its spirit is profoundly undemocratic and un-African."

Gays are already subject to persecution and arbitrary arrest in Uganda. Rights groups said people suspected of being gay have been assaulted, received death threats and face discrimination.

The bill also proposes a seven-year jail sentence for the "promotion of homosexuality."

The joint statement by the rights groups, which include New York-based Human Rights Watch, said the bill would "criminalise the legitimate work of national and international activists and organisations working for the defence and promotion of human rights in Uganda."

The International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) has set up an Action Alert. To join the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) and the Sexual Minorities of Uganda (SMUG) in calling for the dismissal of Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009, click here.

Read the text of Uganda's Proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill at Box Turtle Bulletin.

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J2B (not verified)

at 06:26 on October 18th, 2009

I recently met a young man from Uganda who has fled the country after years of torture by the Uganda dictator, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who has been in power since 1986. The young man's father was leader of the opposition until murdered by the dictator and his brother blown up by a bomb explosion surviving minus an arm.The dictator is both president and prime minister. He decides what laws and policies come into force.Next year there's suppose to be a General Election but the dictator is trying to change the law so he can stay in power for life.Uganda isn't a democratic country so anything could happen?

jefhow22

at 06:01 on October 18th, 2009

I wonder how is it that these countries can justify inhuman acts against humanity in the name of self righteousness...is it in the name of genocide? I wonder...

Bob A. (not verified)

at 09:35 on October 19th, 2009

i am a Ugandan, and i am so proud of my country's decision. i pity one who says human Rights will win, its not a case of human rights, but a right to protecting our culture. we are ready for any threat as Ugandans. its not the leaders, its us the wanainchi, wait and see...

thanks all

a211423

at 09:59 on October 19th, 2009

Here is an article from a Ugandan Gay Rights Perspective. Bob A, you are correct in the final analysis it is the Ugandan people who must decide this civil right's issue. However, globally we are an international community in the 21st century, and just as civil right's is microscoped in the USA, so will it be in your country.

http://theblackcampaign.org/?p=75

anteros (not verified)

at 09:18 on October 20th, 2009

ANATOMY OF AFRICAN PATHOS

The African
Suffers poverty
Differently
From humans

The African
Suffers pain
Differently
From Humans.

The African
Sorrows, bereaves
Differently
From humans

The African
Suffers torture
Differently
From humans
Because the African pain
Is painless pain.

The African
Starves differently
From humans
Because it is African
To starve.

The African female
Endures rape
Quite differently
From women

The African child
Is a child soldier
A slave child
Or a mere street child.

The African migrant
Is an illegal migrant:
No citizen
But a refugee
In his home.

The African dies
Differently
From humans.

The African’s
Birth mark
Is a black scar

The African
Is African:
Not human.

That is why
African leaders,
A little more African
Than Africans,
Insist on
African solutions
To the African
Pathos.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 07:23 on October 18th, 2009

jefhow22, thank you for reading, commenting, questioning:), and for the recommendation!

According to this article, Let The Enemies of Africa Beware (November 2008), "only a fool could still deny that Uganda's dictator General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is a genocidal killer of the first rank."

The article also points out, among other things, how the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) "continue to sing Museveni's praises.", and how Washington and London subsidized Uganda's national budget.

Not a pretty picture, unfortunately.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 07:24 on October 18th, 2009

I'm sure there are many who agree with you, including myself, sara! Thank you for reading, commenting, and for the recommendation!

158

at 09:33 on October 18th, 2009

A drastic law.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 09:40 on October 18th, 2009

It is drastic, 158! And the idea that these types of laws are targeting a specific culture/group of people around the world really requires the global attention that sara references. I always say, "Remove sexual orientation from the equation and you find a human being--one who is entitled to every civil and human right."

Thanks for reading, commenting and for the recommendation!:)

Richard tye (not verified)

at 12:29 on October 18th, 2009

very good decision on uganda's part.homexuals want to impose their behavior on everyone worldwide,

Rhonda J Mangus

at 18:17 on October 18th, 2009

Richard tye, thank you for reading and commenting. Is it also not the case that there are hetero-sexual who want to impose there 'behavior' on people worldwide?

Most certainly then, I am sure, you would protest, and loudly, no doubt?

Thanks again.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 09:56 on October 19th, 2009

Bob A., thank you for reading and commenting. However, I disagree, it is both a case of human rights and of civil rights, both here and abroad.

You are very welcome. Thank you.

Anthony Rizk (not verified)

at 11:26 on November 1st, 2009

The LGBT organizations of the MENA region have to stand together against this, it's the only way we can continually fight our governments for our right to exist. I really do believe that there are a lot more LGBT organizations in the Middle East and Africa than one would expect, considering the laws. They might, collectively, make a stand and eventually a difference.