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What's Love Got To Do With It?
Abstract: Uganda considers death penalty for "aggravated homosexuality".
On October 14, the Parliament of Uganda heard the first reading of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009:
The object of this Bill is to establish a comprehensive consolidated legislation to protect the traditional family by prohibiting (i) any form of sexual relations between persons of the same sex; and (ii) the promotion or recognition of such sexual relations in public institutions and other places through or with the support of any Government entity in Uganda or any non governmental organization inside or outside the country.
The bill defines three general classes of offense: Homosexuality (punishable by life imprisonment), Aggravated Homosexuality (a capital offence), and Promotion of Homosexuality (punishable by a fine and a prison sentence of 5 - 7 years). We encourage you to read for yourself the anatomically detailed descriptions of these offenses in the text of the bill.
In parliament, the bill must be read three times, with debate and possible amendments at each step, to become law.
On October 15, 17 human rights organizations issued a statement condemning the bill and urging its immediate withdrawal.
On November 20, the Chicago Consultation called on Episcopal and Anglican leaders to oppose the bill, and on November 27, a joint statement was issued by the House of Bishops (Anglican church of Canada) and the Conference of Bishops (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC)):
The House of Bishops of the Anglican Church of Canada, along with the Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, express our dismay and concern over the draft proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill currently before the Parliament of Uganda.
The proposed Bill would severely restrict the human rights of Ugandan citizens both at home and abroad by infringing freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, freedom of organization, and legitimate advocacy of civil rights. It would impose excessive and cruel penalties on persons who experience same-sex attraction as well as those who counsel, support, and advise them, including family members and clergy...
[W]e call upon our own Government of Canada, through the Minister of Foreign Affairs, to convey to the Government of Uganda a deep sense of alarm about this fundamental violation of human rights and, through diplomatic channels, to press for its withdrawal.
