This collective rights LGTBI took a heavy blow in the Ugandan Parliament this Tuesday. Almost unanimously, lawmakers in the East African country passed legislation banning homosexuality and consensual same-sex relationships. Penalties for violators of this new rule, From 10 years in prison to life imprisonment and execution.
Shortly after its ratification, the international community showed strong opposition to this new law, which criminalizes recognition as gay and imposes harsh penalties. Law that makes it a crime to identify as LGBTQ, giving authorities broad powers persecute homosexuals Ugandans already face legal discrimination and gang violence.
US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken He said on Wednesday the law undermines basic human rights and “reverses progress made in the fight against HIV/AIDS” and urged authorities to reconsider the law’s implementation. Even though same-sex relationships are already illegal in Uganda, they haven’t penalized gender identity that harshly. This is the new law” worrying “And it represents one of the most extreme measures taken against the LGBTQ community in the world,” White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said on Wednesday.
“aggravated homosexuality”
Supporters of the new law say it is necessary. punishing a wider range of LGBTI activitieswhat they say threatens the traditional values of this conservative and religious East African nation. It includes harsh penalties, including the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality” and life imprisonment for same-sex relationships. By law, aggravated homosexuality means having a homosexual relationship with anyone under the age of 18 or with the perpetrator himself. seropositiveamong other categories.
“This vague and vaguely worded law even those who ‘encourage’ homosexuality or try to ‘perpetrate homosexuality’ are punished. In reality, this highly repressive law will institutionalize discrimination, hatred and prejudice against LGBTI people, including those perceived to be LGBTI, and will hinder the legitimate work of civil society, public health professionals and community leaders.” Amnesty International for the East African region, Tigere Chagutah, Frank MugishaThe Ugandan, one of the few Ugandans living openly gay, said he feared the law would trigger “mass arrests of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) persons and mob violence against LGBTQ communities”. “LGBTQs will be afraid to go to health centers for service… there will be a lot of trauma and mental health cases This causes many suicides,” he explained.
The law will be sent to the President these days Yoweri Museveni, repeatedly denouncing homosexuality, thus declaring it. Museveni had already defined homosexuals as follows last Thursday: “deviation from normal” and accused the West of wanting to impose this sexual orientation on Africa.
“This is a shocking time for the LGBTQ community,” said Mugisha, whose LGBTQ rights charity was shut down last year. Mugisha claimed take the law to court considers it unconstitutional and contrary to various international agreements signed by Uganda.
second lawyers A case like his from Kampala, contacted by Reuters, has a good chance of breaking the law. “The law violates fundamental constitutional rights such as privacy and freedom of expression, so based on the law alone, I think this would be a strong case,” attorney Adrian Jjuko said. Actually, a formerand this is the court overturning on procedural grounds the anti-gay law passed in 2013 that led to cuts in aid and investment.
deep concern
The European Union expressed deep concern about the latest law on Wednesday. Spokesperson for European Union Foreign Relations and Security Policy, Nabila Massrali, In his statement, he stated that “the criminalization of homosexuality is against International Law” and reminded one of the articles of the African Charter that “everyone has the same rights”. duty of respect and consideration their fellow citizens without discrimination”.
“The European Union will continue to work with Ugandan authorities and civil society to ensure that all people, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity, are treated equally, with dignity and respect.”
The law was also criticized by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.Volker TurkHe said it was “worrying” as long as he suggested punishing the LGTBI collective “just for existing” and “for who they are”.
Also, White House spokesman John Kirby warned at a press conference that Uganda could face “economic repercussions” if the law is enacted.