Bill Gives Ugandan Government Legal Right to Torture, Imprison and Kill

Anti-Homosexuality Bill features provisions that may spur a witch hunt

Courtesy: globalvoicesonline.org

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - We have laws in place to protect our animals; if an owner is found to have mistreated an animal, there is often a monetary fine and/or jail time. We have laws to protect our children; if a parent or guardian is seen as unfit or abusive, they lose the privilege of being a parent and are often subjugated by our social care system. How can we have legal expectations regarding the treatment of our children, and even animals, and not have the same respect for human life everywhere? No matter what political opinion, all of humanity should be allowed to love and live. As progressive as some of our worldwide communities appear, there are many that still lack the fundamental respect for human life and diversity.

Case in point: Uganda. The Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill (AHB) is targeting not only the Gay and Lesbian population, but those with HIV/AIDS. The bill gives the government the legal right to torture, imprison and kill many Ugandans at will. It may begin with this population, but who will be next and where could this end? The final section of the bill provides for Uganda to nullify any of its international or regional commitments that it deems "contradictory to the spirit and provisions enshrined in this Act."

As both the African Commission and the UN Human Rights Committee have held, a state cannot, through its domestic law, negate its international human rights obligations. http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/10/15/uganda-anti-homosexuality-bill-threatens-liberties-and-human-rights-defenders The Ugandan government is targeting its own people and through the words in this piece of legislation, escapes its obligations to preserving and protecting Human Rights. The Anti-Homosexuality Bill features several provisions that human rights groups say would spur a witch hunt of homosexuals in the country:

• Gays and lesbians convicted of having gay sex would be sentenced, at minimum, to life in prison
• People who test positive for HIV may be executed
• Homosexuals who have sex with a minor, or engage in homosexual sex more than once, may also receive the death penalty
• The bill forbids the "promotion of homosexuality," which in effect bans organizations working in HIV and AIDS prevention
• Anyone who knows of homosexual activity taking place but does not report it would risk up to three years in prison http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/12/08/uganda.anti.gay.bill/index.html

March 7, 2010 Yesterday 5 members of our church were arrested with various accusations of being Gay, they are still in jail as we pave way for their release.
1. JS -18 Years Old*
2. IN-23 Years Old*
3. FB-30 Years Old *
4. AM- 27 Years Old*
5. LK-19 Years Old*

They were publicizing for our upcoming workshop caught with information and brochures; right now they are at Police in detention. It is still unclear as to whether these five men are in custody at the jail or hospital. Recent communication conveys there is a significant hospital bill in association with injuries they received after being taken into custody. March 23, 2010 Our workshop was interrupted by the police and my Laptop, which I was using for reference, and a projector were seized by the police on accusation that it was a Gay/Lesbian Workshop. We never knew that we had invited Government spies, who alerted the police because we had used the Rainbow Flayer. This is but one example of the treatment those that are perceived gay or in association with gays. The targeted infringement on rights of movement, activity and well being are a constant threat to many in Uganda There must be international pressure put on this government to stop the passing of such a destructive and dehumanizing bill. There are many afraid to walk outside. If this is allowed to become law, Uganda will not be held to the same human rights standards as those of the rest of the international community. This begins to set precedence for other countries to follow suit. This will affect those that want to be tested for HIV/AIDS; it will also increase the civil strife within a country that has seen very little peace in the past several decades.

HIV/AIDS currently affects an estimated 940,000, with 1.2 million children orphaned by AIDS. There are many who will go without tests and treatment for fear of government retribution, therefore exacerbating an already insurmountable issue. The consequences of this bill on both human life and the health of the country are disastrous. How can we allow others to be terrified in their homes and country by the very government whose obligation it is to protect? At the present time, many are being besieged and at will could be imprisoned, tortured and put to death because of who they choose to love. Many in Uganda are asking to have a voice - you can help. Give them the platform to feel safe in confiding. Call our government and tell them this is unacceptable. Please understand and empower those around you to understand the seriousness of this Ugandan Bill.

People will die at random because of ignorance, HIV/AIDS will spread and many will stop getting life saving treatment. Those with “carnal knowledge” of someone of the same sex can be put to death. Simply knowing someone who is gay pr lesbian can result in up to three years in prison.

This is intolerable. If we as American citizens do not stand for justice, equality and respect for human life; to lead by example, who will? Phone: 1-202-456-1111 White House Line Text: 90822 Secretary of State Clinton Twitter: @dipnote, @barackobama, @whitehouse *Names are protected