LGBTQ+ rights
Human rights activists condemn bill introducing death penalty and life imprisonment
Tue 21 Mar 2023 20:19 GMT
Ugandan lawmakers have passed a controversial anti-LGBTQ+ law that would punish homosexual acts with the death penalty, a move that rights activists have strongly condemned.
All but two of the 389 MPs late Tuesday voted in favor of the tough anti-homosexuality law, which introduces death penalties and life sentences for gay sex and the “recruitment, promotion and financing” of same-sex “activities”.
“A person who commits the offense of aggravated homosexuality and must die if convicted,” reads the bill, introduced by Robina Rwakoojo, the Chair of Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.
Only two MPs from the ruling party, Fox Odoi-Oywelowo and Paul Kwizera Bucyana, opposed the new law.
“The bill is ill-conceived, contains unconstitutional provisions, reverses achievements in the fight against gender-based violence, and criminalizes individuals instead of behavior that violates all known legal norms,” Odoi-Oywelowo said.
“The draft law does not add any value to the code and the available legal framework,” he said.
An earlier version of the bill drew widespread international criticism and was later overturned by Uganda’s Constitutional Court on procedural grounds. The bill now goes to President Yoweri Museveni, who can veto it or put it into effect. In a recent speech he seemed to express his support for the law.
One MP in the chamber, John Musila, wore a dress that read: “Say no to homosexuals, lesbians and gay people.”
The bill marks the latest in a series of backlashes for LGBTQ+ rights in Africa, where homosexuality is illegal in most countries. In Uganda, a largely conservative Christian country, homosexual sex was already punishable by life imprisonment.
Human rights activists have condemned the new move to pass the harsh law, calling it “hate legislation”.
“Today marks a tragic day in Uganda’s history. @Parliament_Ug has enacted laws that promote hate and aim to deprive LGBTIQ people of their basic rights!” tweeted Sarah Kasande, a Kampala-based lawyer and human rights activist.
“The provisions of the anti-homosexuality law are barbaric, discriminatory and unconstitutional,” she said.
She added: “For the LGBTIQ community, I know this is a difficult day but please do not lose hope. The fight isn’t over yet; this repugnant bill will eventually be struck down.”
Gay activist Eric Ndawula tweeted: “Today’s events in Parliament are not only immoral, but a total attack on humanity. It is appalling that hatred and homophobia have clouded the judgment of our MEPs. Who benefits from this draconian law?”
More than 110 LGBTQ+ people in Uganda have reported incidents including arrests, sexual violence, evictions and public stripping to the Sexual Minorities Uganda (Smug) advocacy group in February alone. Transgender people are disproportionately affected, the group said.
Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera, a lesbian activist in Kampala, said efforts to repeal the legislation were continuing.
“We will continue to fight against this injustice. This lesbian woman is Ugandan, even this piece of paper will do [not] keep me from enjoying my country. The fight has just begun,” Nabagesera said in one tweet.
Kasande said: “We will fight until all people in Uganda can enjoy the rights guaranteed to them by the constitution.”
President Museveni said last month Uganda will not accept homosexuality, claiming the West is trying to force other countries to “normalize” what he called “deviations.”
“Western countries should stop wasting humanity’s time trying to impose their practices on other people,” Museveni said in a televised address to parliament on March 16.
“Homosexuals are deviations from normal. Why? Is it by nature or through upbringing? We must answer these questions. We need a doctor’s report for that,” he said.
“It is disappointing that Parliament is once again passing legislation that clearly violates several fundamental human rights,” said Oryem Nyeko, a researcher with Human Rights Watch’s Africa division.
“This only opens the door for more regressive legislation and for people’s rights to be violated across the board. President Museveni should not agree to that,” he said.
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