Human rights activists in Uganda are calling for sanctions against authorities in their East African country after the enactment of “anti-homosexuality laws” that they say “legalize homophobia” gender and transgender”.
President Yoweri Museveni approved the law, considered one of the world’s most repressive laws despite warnings from international partners. Called the “Anti-Homosexuality Law 2023,” the law provides for severe punishments for those in same-sex relationships and “encourages” homosexuality.
The offense of “aggravating homosexuality” is punishable by death, a punishment that has not been applied for many years in Uganda.
“This is an important moment for interested parties, such as the United States and the EU, to take action against Ugandans involved in human rights abuses,” one person called for the coalition of states. human rights organization in a statement released on Monday evening.
These “dangerous and discriminatory” law-writing organizations criminalize “any LGBTIQ+ rights activism in Uganda, punishing this legal work with sentences of up to 20 years in prison.” “It will destroy the fight against HIV,” they added.
Clare Byarugaba of Chapter Four Uganda, one of the coalition organisations, said: “The criminalization and suppression of the legitimate defense of human rights is unacceptable in a true democracy.
Compromised relationship” – “Despite our concerted efforts to prevent the anti-homosexuality bill from passing, the president has legalized homophobia and transgenderism under the auspices of the United Nations. state support,” said Frank Mugisha, director of the Uganda Sexual Minority Authority, which is also a member of the coalition.
The union has filed an appeal with the Constitutional Court of Uganda. The enactment of this law caused a wave of international outrage. US President Joe Biden, denouncing “serious violations” of human rights, said he had asked his administration to study the consequences of this “shameful” law for “all aspects of United States cooperation with Uganda”.
He added that US authorities were considering “additional measures”, such as sanctions or entry restrictions for “anyone involved in human rights abuses or corruption”. Josep Borrell, Head of European diplomacy denounced a law “contrary to human rights”, “Government of Uganda has an responsibility to protect all its citizens and ensure that their fundamental rights are respected. Failure to act in the right way will damage relations with international partners,” he said.
– Before 2014 – In 2014, donors reduced their aid after the passage of a law banning homosexuality in the country. Washington has suspended funding for government programs and imposed a visa ban. EU countries such as Denmark, Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands have also partially frozen their bilateral aid.
The law was eventually overturned by the Constitutional Court due to technicalities in the voting process. Supporters of the “anti-homosexuality law of 2023” said Monday that they expect cuts to Western funding.
“They will cut aid to Uganda,” Asuman Basalirwa, the MP behind the bill, told reporters, arguing that the country should seek new “development partners”, especially in the Arab World.
The law enjoys wide public support and little opposition in a country that has been ruled with an iron fist since 1986 by Yoweri Museveni.
Although there have been no recent prosecutions for homosexual acts, harassment and intimidation occurs daily among homosexuals in Uganda, where Protestant Christianity is hostile. with the growing LGBT+ movement.
