ANTI-GAY BILL PUT TO UGANDAN PARLIAMENT
News by Chris Brocklebank on October 30, 2009 at 11:51 amAn anti-homosexuality draft bill is being put to the Ugandan parliament. This proposed law targets not only LGBT people but also human rights and AIDS prevention activists.
Seventeen local and international human rights groups have condemnded the proposed bill. Scott Long of Human Rights Watch said, “This draft bill is clearly an attempt to divide and weaken civil society by striking at one of its most marginalised groups. The goverment may be starting here but who will be next?”
Gay sex is alrady illegal in Uganda, carrying a prison sentence of many years, but the proposed bill seeks to extend the scope of what constitutes sexual relations between adults of the same gender, which could result in life imprisonment. Those found guilty of “promotion of homosexuality” will also be at risk of prosecution, which would be detrimental to AIDS prevention efforts.
Furthermore, a new offence of “aggravated homosexuality” would carry the death penalty. This would cover sex with anyone under 18 or anyone with a disability, which would reduce the autonomy of disabled adults to form relationships with who they want. Along with this, anyone in a position of “authority” who is aware of an offence committed under the new law and fails to report it could be sentenced to up to three years in prison. Writing in the Guardian, Savitri Hensman stated, “A pastor who found out that someone in his congregation or community was gay or lesbian would be required to betray that person to possible imprisonment or death, or risk his own freedom. The bill would not only destroy LGBT people but also undermine others’ integrity and humanity.”
The law would not only apply to Ugandans, but also to Ugandans abroad. Some commentators believe it is a ruse to divert attention away from ongoing severe social problems in the country and to reinforce oppression in the run-up to the coming Ugandan elections.
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