Uganda's anti-gay law draws sharp criticism
PHOTO | FILE Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni speaks to the press in Juba on December 30, 2013. He signed the Anti-gay bill on Monday.
What you need to know:
- A statement by US President Barrack Obama's press secretary said that President Museveni has regrettably taken his country a step backward “instead of standing on the side of freedom, justice and equal rights for his people.”
The move by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to sign the Anti-Homosexuality Bill into Law has ignited sharp criticism from the west.
A statement by US President Barrack Obama's press secretary said that President Museveni has regrettably taken his country a step backward “instead of standing on the side of freedom, justice and equal rights for his people.”
President Obama argued that the law is not only an affront and a danger to Uganda's gay community, but it also reflects poorly on the country's commitment to protecting the human rights of its people.
British envoy William Hague said the UK strongly opposes all discrimination on any grounds adding that his government will continue to press Uganda to defend human rights for all, without discrimination on any grounds.
He said the Law will damage the country's reputation internationally and that they are questioning its compatibility with Uganda’s constitution and international treaty obligations.
Meanwhile, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said the law will institutionalise discrimination and is likely to encourage harassment and violence against individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation.
She added that “the law is formulated so broadly that it may lead to abuse of power and accusations against anyone, not just the gay community.”
Further, Ms Pillay observed that disapproval of homosexuality by some can never justify violating the fundamental human rights of others and called on the Ugandan government to take immediate action to ensure that human rights activists in the country are not prosecuted for their advocacy.
She expressed hope that the law will be reviewed at the earliest opportunity saying that as it stands today, it will impede efforts to prevent transmission of the Aids virus and hamper treatment of those living with HIV.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon intends to raise the issue of the anti-gay law in a previously scheduled meeting later on Monday with Uganda's ambassador to the UN.
