A global public protest against a proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda will take place this week in New York City aligned with global human rights protests in other cities. New York City Demonstration at 12:30 pm ET, Thursday, November 19 at the Uganda Permanent Mission to the United Nations, 336 East 45th St. New York City
Why: Sexual Minorities Uganda ( SMUG ) and its partners in civil society have requested that supporters stage protests against the homophobic legislation at the diplomatic missions of Uganda leading up to Human Rights Day on December 10, 2009. The demonstration in New York is organized by a coalition of supporters, including the African Services Committee, Health Gap, the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, Human Rights Watch, the Council for Global Equality, ACT UP Philadelphia, Advocates for Youth, and Proyecto SOL Filadelphia. A counterpart demonstration protesting the bill will also be held at the Ugandan Embassy in Washington, DC the same afternoon.
Background:
A broad coalition of civil society groups in Uganda have united against the legislation, warning that it will severely undermine human rights and the work of human rights defenders in the country. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender ( LGBT ) Ugandans are already persecuted under Penal Code Article 145a, which prohibits "carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature." The proposed bill specifically criminalizes homosexuality, and punishes anything from sexual stimulation to "touch [ ing ] another person with the intention of committing the act of homosexuality" with life imprisonment. Worse, "aggravated homosexuality" - including activity by "serial offenders" or those who are HIV positive - would merit the death penalty.
The bill's draconian restrictions on homosexuality have drawn public criticism from a diverse coalition of professional and civil organizations in Uganda, who warn that it also undermines civil society, the rule of law, and public health outreach in the country. The bill not only criminalizes the "promotion of homosexuality," but states that any person in authority who fails to report known violations of the law within 24 hours will also be subject to a significant fine and imprisonment. It would have negative repercussions for HIV prevention activities in Uganda, which rely on an ability to talk frankly about sexuality and provide condoms and other safer-sex materials, will be seriously compromised.
Moreover, it sets a dangerous precedent by revoking the basic human rights of a marginalized group in the name of tradition, with potentially serious repercussions for women, sex workers, and people living with HIV/AIDS.
The Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009 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. By withdrawing from agreements which acknowledge sexual orientation and gender identity, the bill sets a dangerous precedent, undermines Uganda's commitment to the international human rights regime, and threatens the basic human rights of all Ugandans. More shocking, the bill claims jurisdiction over Ugandans who violate its provisions while outside of the country, provoking condemnation from the international community and the governments of the United States and France.
From a Press Release: November 17, 2009
The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission's mission is to advance human rights for everyone, everywhere to end discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. A non-profit, non-governmental organization, IGLHRC is based in New York, with offices in Cape Town and Buenos Aires.www.iglhrc.org
