Paused: Stop the Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda

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Still from the documentary film Call Me Kuchu - amnesty.org.uk/callmekuchu

Update 18/12/12: The Ugandan Parliament has now gone into recess until February 2013 without debating the Anti-Homosexuality Bill. This action is currently closed, but may be reopened if the Bill reappears next year.

A life behind bars simply for having consensual sex with the person you love? This could be Uganda’s future.

A new Bill that could be passed within days of it being debated in the Ugandan Parliament will punish individuals for their sexual orientation. We have a very limited time to stop it. Email the Ugandan authorities now and ask them to stop the Bill

A life sentence for LGBTI Ugandans

Sexual conduct between people of the same sex is already a criminal offence in Uganda. But this Bill goes much further in limiting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) individuals.

In its current form, the Anti-Homosexuality Bill would institutionalise discrimination against those who are, or who are thought to be, LGBTI. Consensual sexual conduct between people of the same sex could carry life sentences. Previous drafts of the Bill have proposed the death penalty for anyone found guilty of ‘aggravated homosexuality’ – and it is not yet clear whether this has been removed from the Bill completely.

Legalising hatred and discrimination

The legislation criminalises the ‘promotion’ of homosexuality – which has far-reaching effects. For example, LGBTI individuals will be unable to freely seek sexual health information, meet at LGBTI-focussed groups or even talk openly about their sexuality.

It will prevent human rights defenders and health workers from carrying out vital work, and curtail their right to freedom of expression – protected under international law.

In fact, the proposals violate Uganda’s own constitution, as well as numerous international human rights standards which the country claims to abide by – including the universal right to freedom of expression, freedom of thought, freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of association, liberty and security – to name a few.

Murdered for speaking out

David Kato is one high-profile victim of homophobia in Uganda. After a life of activism and fighting for equal rights he was murdered in 2011. We’re extremely concerned that the Anti-Homosexuality Bill will put the law on the side of Kato’s murderers, and entrench existing discrimination by legalising and even promoting hate crimes against LGBTI individuals and activists.

We’ve documented instances of discrimination, torture and detention by Ugandan authorities against LGBTI individuals under the pretext of enforcing current laws. If the Anti Homosexuality Bill is passed, it will legalise discrimination and incarceration of LGBTI people.