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IGLHRC Shocked at Possible Passage of Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill
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Rights Protections for All Ugandans Precarious
(New York, 6 May 2011) The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights
Commission is deeply concerned at reports that the now infamous
Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda may be passed by that country's
Parliament. The Bill, first introduced in October 2009, was ostensibly
"shelved" by Uganda's president Yoweri Museveni following an international
outcry. However, public hearings on the Bill took place today in the Legal
and Parliamentary Affairs Committee. The remaining stages of the
legislative process -- namely second and third readings of the bill and
presidential adoption -- could be completed within the remaining week of
the current parliamentary session.
"We are shocked that after more than 2 years of engagement with the
government of Uganda about the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, this heinous piece
of legislation may still become law," said Cary Alan Johnson, IGLHRC
Executive Director. "Governments, world religious and political leaders,
and HIV prevention experts have all appealed to Ugandan parliamentarians
to put their distaste and fear of LGBT people aside and use their better
judgment for the good of the country."
The Bill reaffirms existing penalties for consensual same-sex
relationships, and criminalizes the "promotion of homosexuality" and
failure to report homosexual activity. The Parliamentary Committee itself
has said that the provisions of the Bill are redundant and unnecessary.
Most controversially, the Bill would punish "aggravated homosexuality" --
including activity by "serial offenders" or those who are HIV positive --
with the death penalty. To IGLHRC's knowledge, the provisions related to
the death penalty remain part of the Bill, despite statements by the
Bill's author that these would be removed. The Bill not only violates
multiple protections guaranteed by the Constitution of Uganda, but also
contravenes the African Charter on Human and People's Rights, the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and other
international human rights treaties to which Uganda is a party.
"There can be no reason to pass this Bill other than to take the attention
of Ugandans -- and the rest of the world -- away from the fact that Uganda
is slipping into political chaos," stated Johnson. "Clearly the issue of
homosexuality is being used to deflect attention from the crackdown on
democracy and freedom of speech that has led to at least 5 deaths, more
than 100 injuries, and hundreds of arrests in the last month. IGLHRC
stands firm with all the people of Uganda as they struggle to maintain
their freedom and dignity."
See our previous work on Uganda
http://www.iglhrc.org/cgi-bin/iowa/region/60.html
For more information, visit Uganda's Civil Society Coalition on Human
Rights and Constitutional Law website
http://www.ugandans4rights.org/issues.php
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The mission of The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission
(IGLHRC) is advancing human rights for everyone, everywhere to end
discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender
expression. A non-profit, non-governmental organization, IGLHRC is based
in New York, and has an office in Buenos Aires. Visit
http://www.iglhrc.org for more information.
IGLHRC on Twitter | http://twitter.com/iglhrc
Check out our Facebook page |
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IGLHRC, 80 Maiden Lane, Suite 1505, New York, NY 10038
phone: +1 (212) 430-6054 | fax: +1 (212) 430-6060 | http://www.iglhrc.org
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IGLHRC Shocked at Possible Passage of Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill
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