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Uganda MP urges death for gay sex
news.bbc.co.uk, 15/10/2009
A Ugandan MP has proposed creating an offence of "aggravated homosexuality" to be punishable by death.
Ruling party MP David Bahati wants the death penalty for those having gay sex with disabled people, under-18s or when the accused is HIV-positive.
Homosexual acts are already illegal, but the Anti-Homosexuality Bill proposes new offences and urges the toughening of existing penalties.
Earlier versions of the bill were widely criticised by rights groups.
The BBC's Joshua Mmali, in the capital Kampala, says the bill has a good chance of being passed as senior figures from the ruling National Resistance Movement are likely to back it.
President Yoweri Museveni has made several speeches outlining his own anti-gay views.
Gays 'persecuted'
There are estimated to be 500,000 gay people in Uganda, from a population of about 31 million, according to gay rights groups.
Gay activists have long alleged persecution and existing laws already allow large fines and life imprisonment for some homosexual acts.
Mr Bahati's bill proposes widening the definition of homosexual acts and wants to fine or imprison anyone found to be promoting homosexuality.
The bill states that its provisions are intended to "protect the traditional family by prohibiting any form of sexual relations between persons of the same sex".
The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission has urged the bill to be dismissed.
They say it violates several international agreements Uganda has signed up to - as well as contradicting the country's own constitution.
But John Otekat Emile, an independent MP, said he believed the bill had a "99% chance" of being passed.
"Members of parliament are overwhelmingly supporting this bill because homosexuality is illegal in Uganda, and we have that clearly in the penal code," he told the BBC.
Emmanuel Dombo, an MP with the ruling party, agreed and said it was an important issue to investigate.
"What we need to look at are the sentences - what kind of sentences or punishment should be prescribed for sexual offenders in this respect - that is the big question," he said.
But our correspondent says the authorities already find it difficult to prove cases under current laws because evidence is difficult to obtain.
Some people who have openly declared that they are gay have not been prosecuted because declaring sexual orientation is not a crime, our correspondent adds.
*****************************************************************************
If Uganda's recently tabled Anti-Homosexuality Bill becomes law it would mark a major setback in the promotion of human rights, the US embassy in Kampala told AFP Thursday.
"If adopted, a bill further criminalising homosexuality would constitute a significant step backwards for the protection of human rights in Uganda," the embassy's public affairs officer Joann Lockard said in an email.
"We urge states to take all necessary measures to ensure that sexual orientation or gender identity may under no circumstances be the basis for criminal penalties, in particular executions, arrests, or detention."(afp, 29/10/2009)
France has joined the United States in publicly condemning Uganda's proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which would vastly strengthen the country's anti-gay laws.
"France expresses deep concern regarding the bill currently before the Ugandan parliament," the French foreign ministry said in a statement sent to AFP in Kampala on Monday.
"France reiterates its commitment to the decriminalisation of homosexuality and the fight against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity."
In an opinion piece published in Uganda's Observer newspaper on Monday, the author of the bill, lawmaker David Bahati, argued that "homosexuality is not a human right". (AFP, 3/11/2009)
The UK government has released a statement on the proposals in Uganda to execute people who have gay sex following condemnation of the bill from France and America. (pinknews.co.uk, 6/11/2009)
The Church of Uganda is studying the proposed "Anti-homosexuality bill" and, therefore, does not yet have an official position on the bill. In the meantime, we can restate our position on a number of related issues.
1. Our deepest conviction as the Church of Uganda is that, in Christ, people and their sexual desires are redeemed, and restored to God's original intent. Repentance and obedience to Scripture are the gateway to the redemption of marriage and family and the transformation of society. (Position Paper on Scripture, Authority, and Human Sexuality, May 2005)
2. The House of Bishops resolved in August 2008 that "The Church of Uganda is committed at all levels to offer counseling, healing and prayer for people with homosexual disorientation, especially in our schools and other institutions of learning. The Church is a safe place for individuals, who are confused about their sexuality or struggling with sexual brokenness, to seek help and healing."
3. The Church of Uganda upholds the sanctity of life and cannot support the death penalty.
4. In April 2009, Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi said, "I am appalled to learn that the rumours we have heard for a long time about homosexual recruiting in our schools and amongst our youth are true. I am even more concerned that the practice is more widespread than we originally thought. It is the duty of the church and the government to be watchmen on the wall and to warn and protect our people from harmful and deceitful agendas."
5. "Homosexual practice is incompatible with Scripture." (Resolution of the 1998 Lambeth Conference of Bishops.) Homosexual behaviour is immoral and should not be promoted, supported, or condoned in any way as an "alternative lifestyle." This position has been repeatedly reaffirmed by the House of Bishops and the Provincial Assembly of the Church of Uganda.
6. We cannot support the blessing of same-sex unions or the ordination of homosexuals (Resolution of the 1998 Lambeth Conference of Bishops), and we will oppose efforts to import such practices into Uganda. Again, this position has been repeatedly reaffirmed by the House of Bishops and the Provincial Assembly of the Church of Uganda.
The Rev. Canon Aaron Mwesigye is Provincial Secretary Church of Uganda. He is based in Kampala (virtueonline.org, 6/11/2009)
Uganda MP urges death for gay sex
news.bbc.co.uk, 15/10/2009
A Ugandan MP has proposed creating an offence of "aggravated homosexuality" to be punishable by death.
Ruling party MP David Bahati wants the death penalty for those having gay sex with disabled people, under-18s or when the accused is HIV-positive.
Homosexual acts are already illegal, but the Anti-Homosexuality Bill proposes new offences and urges the toughening of existing penalties.
Earlier versions of the bill were widely criticised by rights groups.
The BBC's Joshua Mmali, in the capital Kampala, says the bill has a good chance of being passed as senior figures from the ruling National Resistance Movement are likely to back it.
President Yoweri Museveni has made several speeches outlining his own anti-gay views.
Gays 'persecuted'
There are estimated to be 500,000 gay people in Uganda, from a population of about 31 million, according to gay rights groups.
Gay activists have long alleged persecution and existing laws already allow large fines and life imprisonment for some homosexual acts.
Mr Bahati's bill proposes widening the definition of homosexual acts and wants to fine or imprison anyone found to be promoting homosexuality.
The bill states that its provisions are intended to "protect the traditional family by prohibiting any form of sexual relations between persons of the same sex".
The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission has urged the bill to be dismissed.
They say it violates several international agreements Uganda has signed up to - as well as contradicting the country's own constitution.
But John Otekat Emile, an independent MP, said he believed the bill had a "99% chance" of being passed.
"Members of parliament are overwhelmingly supporting this bill because homosexuality is illegal in Uganda, and we have that clearly in the penal code," he told the BBC.
Emmanuel Dombo, an MP with the ruling party, agreed and said it was an important issue to investigate.
"What we need to look at are the sentences - what kind of sentences or punishment should be prescribed for sexual offenders in this respect - that is the big question," he said.
But our correspondent says the authorities already find it difficult to prove cases under current laws because evidence is difficult to obtain.
Some people who have openly declared that they are gay have not been prosecuted because declaring sexual orientation is not a crime, our correspondent adds.
*****************************************************************************
If Uganda's recently tabled Anti-Homosexuality Bill becomes law it would mark a major setback in the promotion of human rights, the US embassy in Kampala told AFP Thursday.
"If adopted, a bill further criminalising homosexuality would constitute a significant step backwards for the protection of human rights in Uganda," the embassy's public affairs officer Joann Lockard said in an email.
"We urge states to take all necessary measures to ensure that sexual orientation or gender identity may under no circumstances be the basis for criminal penalties, in particular executions, arrests, or detention."(afp, 29/10/2009)
France has joined the United States in publicly condemning Uganda's proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which would vastly strengthen the country's anti-gay laws.
"France expresses deep concern regarding the bill currently before the Ugandan parliament," the French foreign ministry said in a statement sent to AFP in Kampala on Monday.
"France reiterates its commitment to the decriminalisation of homosexuality and the fight against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity."
In an opinion piece published in Uganda's Observer newspaper on Monday, the author of the bill, lawmaker David Bahati, argued that "homosexuality is not a human right". (AFP, 3/11/2009)
The UK government has released a statement on the proposals in Uganda to execute people who have gay sex following condemnation of the bill from France and America. (pinknews.co.uk, 6/11/2009)
The Church of Uganda is studying the proposed "Anti-homosexuality bill" and, therefore, does not yet have an official position on the bill. In the meantime, we can restate our position on a number of related issues.
1. Our deepest conviction as the Church of Uganda is that, in Christ, people and their sexual desires are redeemed, and restored to God's original intent. Repentance and obedience to Scripture are the gateway to the redemption of marriage and family and the transformation of society. (Position Paper on Scripture, Authority, and Human Sexuality, May 2005)
2. The House of Bishops resolved in August 2008 that "The Church of Uganda is committed at all levels to offer counseling, healing and prayer for people with homosexual disorientation, especially in our schools and other institutions of learning. The Church is a safe place for individuals, who are confused about their sexuality or struggling with sexual brokenness, to seek help and healing."
3. The Church of Uganda upholds the sanctity of life and cannot support the death penalty.
4. In April 2009, Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi said, "I am appalled to learn that the rumours we have heard for a long time about homosexual recruiting in our schools and amongst our youth are true. I am even more concerned that the practice is more widespread than we originally thought. It is the duty of the church and the government to be watchmen on the wall and to warn and protect our people from harmful and deceitful agendas."
5. "Homosexual practice is incompatible with Scripture." (Resolution of the 1998 Lambeth Conference of Bishops.) Homosexual behaviour is immoral and should not be promoted, supported, or condoned in any way as an "alternative lifestyle." This position has been repeatedly reaffirmed by the House of Bishops and the Provincial Assembly of the Church of Uganda.
6. We cannot support the blessing of same-sex unions or the ordination of homosexuals (Resolution of the 1998 Lambeth Conference of Bishops), and we will oppose efforts to import such practices into Uganda. Again, this position has been repeatedly reaffirmed by the House of Bishops and the Provincial Assembly of the Church of Uganda.
The Rev. Canon Aaron Mwesigye is Provincial Secretary Church of Uganda. He is based in Kampala (virtueonline.org, 6/11/2009)
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