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US Congress members introduce bills condemning Uganda legislation
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by Rhonda J Mangus | February 6, 2010 at 04:01 pm
389 views | 46 Recommendations | 11 comments
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United States Congress members introduced bills condemning Uganda's anti-homosexuality bill 2009. 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.
Democratic senators Russ Feingold of Wisconsin and Ben Cardin of Maryland, in cooperation with Republican senators Tom Coburn of Oklahoma and Susan Collins of Maine jointly issued the resolution in the Senate (S.R. 409). A House version (H.R. 1604) was introduced by California Democrat Howard Berman.
Both bills condemn Uganda’s legislation and urge the nation’s Parliament to abandon the bill. In addition, the bills urge other countries to reject laws that make homosexuality a punishable crime.
It is interesting to note that Sen. Coburn is tied to “The Fellowship,” a conservative Christian group that sponsored Thursday’s National Prayer Breakfast. In addition, David Bahati, the Ugandan lawmakers sponsoring the anti-gay legislation, is a member of the Fellowship.
Dozens of members of Congress, including Wisconsin’s openly lesbian Tammy Baldwin have already signed on in support of the resolutions.
“The proposed Ugandan bill not only threatens human rights, it also reverses so many of the gains that Uganda has made in the fight against HIV/AIDS,” Baldwin said in a statement on Thursday. “This issue has united leaders of different political and religious views in Uganda and worldwide in one common belief in the rights of all human beings regardless of sexual orientation.”
A day after the bills were introduced, US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton again condemned Uganda's proposed legislation.
US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hilary Clinton [official website] on Thursday denounced proposed legislation in the Ugandan parliament [official website] that would implement harsh punishments for homosexual behavior, including the death penalty in some circumstances. Obama called the the proposed bill "odious" and said, "we may disagree about gay marriage, but surely we can agree that it's unconscionable to target gays and lesbians for who they are."
Join the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission in urging members of the U.S. Congress to support U.S. resolutions in the House and the Senate condemning the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill.
U.S. Citizens: Contact your representatives in Congress
Non U.S. Citizens: Contact key Congresspeople
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Rhonda J Mangus
North Tonawanda, New York, United States
Recommendations (46)
158
St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Amy Judd
Vancouver, Canada
stejeb
United Kingdom
Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke
Redwater, Alberta, Canada
Susan Marie Kovalinsky
Ledgewood, New Jersey, United States
YankeeJim
Arlington, Virginia, United States
harringtola
Town-send, Massachusetts, United States
Uwe Paschen
Narita, Chiba, Japan
Rory Cripps
New Port Richey, Florida, United States
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (11)
at 17:18 on February 6th, 2010
I agree with the purpose of this but it could be counter productive. Small countries do not like to take orders from the US.
at 11:02 on February 7th, 2010
If they take dollars they take orders.
at 17:54 on February 6th, 2010
Thank you, 158. However, as far as I am concerned regarding "Small countries do not like to take orders from the US" -- it's not about 'orders'. It's about countries standing up to these horrific violations of human rights that are occurring around the world. I really don't like to suggest that US (or any other country's) aid be stopped until they comply with International Human Rights Law; and this would apply for any country who fails to comply with human rights laws; but it may send a clear message across the board. After all, the US has no problem placing embargoes against countries, such as Cuba, who it claims are identified as "state sponsors of terrorism". In my mind, there is no difference between terrorism and human rights violations.
Unfortunately, however, the US has other interests in Uganda-- US Aid to Uganda.
at 18:09 on February 6th, 2010
A last mention: some US Reps are calling for economic pressure in the form of cutting PEPFAR Aid to Uganda.
at 18:44 on February 6th, 2010
About time.
at 18:48 on February 6th, 2010
Seriously, right! Thank you, Paschen!
at 20:37 on February 6th, 2010
It appears that this country is abandoning one injustice and atrocity and embarking on yet another. I hope that this can be derailed . It does not matter how. It is so very sad that such oppression still reigns there.
at 23:49 on February 6th, 2010
Sorry. Not their job.
at 09:20 on February 7th, 2010
davboz, thank you for commenting. I am going to assume that your comment "Sorry. Not their job." means the U.S. (If I am wrong, please feel free to correct me:)).
It is my opinion that human rights' violations is everybody's business; both governments and citizenry. It is also my opinion that until the world's citizenry understands its human rights on the world stage, and applies this knowledge well, 'we' will continue to have gross violations of human rights, including genocide.
Every individual should know International Human Rights Laws -- they apply to every human being on planet Earth, and super-cede domestic laws.
at 14:27 on February 7th, 2010
You are very welcome, Rosie! No worries:) Thanks for stopping by!