The Ugandan parliament is debating a bill advocating the death penalty for gays and prison sentences for those who fail to report gays to the authorities.
‘The Anti Homosexuality Bill, 2009’ calls for stricter anti-gay laws including life-term prison sentences for gay people. It also recommends the death penalty for those convicted of having gay sex with a minor or disabled person or while infected with HIV.
If passed, friends and family members of gay Ugandans who fail to report them to the government for prosecution will face up to three years in prison.
Citizens who promote or assist homosexuality could be incarcerated for up to seven years.
The proposal has received world-wide condemnation with The European Parliament calling on the Ugandan authorities to review their laws to decriminalise homosexuality.
Despite warnings from both the United Nations and World Health Organisation that Uganda risks losing the chance to host a permanent AIDS research organization if the bill is passed, Ugandan officials stress they will not bow to international pressure.
The measure was introduced by David Bahati, a Christian member of the ruling party, who believes it will curb HIV infections and safeguard the “traditional family”.
‘The Anti Homosexuality Bill, 2009’ calls for stricter anti-gay laws including life-term prison sentences for gay people. It also recommends the death penalty for those convicted of having gay sex with a minor or disabled person or while infected with HIV.
If passed, friends and family members of gay Ugandans who fail to report them to the government for prosecution will face up to three years in prison.
Citizens who promote or assist homosexuality could be incarcerated for up to seven years.
The proposal has received world-wide condemnation with The European Parliament calling on the Ugandan authorities to review their laws to decriminalise homosexuality.
Despite warnings from both the United Nations and World Health Organisation that Uganda risks losing the chance to host a permanent AIDS research organization if the bill is passed, Ugandan officials stress they will not bow to international pressure.
The measure was introduced by David Bahati, a Christian member of the ruling party, who believes it will curb HIV infections and safeguard the “traditional family”.
Last week the BBC were forced to apologise over an online debate related to the Uganda proposal titled “Should homosexuals be executed?”
Following a barrage of complaints and lobbying from the corporation’s LGBT society the BBC’s Have Your Say forums re-titled the debate “Should Uganda debate gay execution”. The discussion has since been closed.
The director of the BBC World Service, Peter Horrocks, has since apologized admitting "The original headline on our website was, in hindsight, too stark. We apologise for any offence it caused. But it's important that this does not detract from what is a crucial debate for Africans and the international community.”
For weekly gay news, chat and soundbites visit www.mand8.com
Following a barrage of complaints and lobbying from the corporation’s LGBT society the BBC’s Have Your Say forums re-titled the debate “Should Uganda debate gay execution”. The discussion has since been closed.
The director of the BBC World Service, Peter Horrocks, has since apologized admitting "The original headline on our website was, in hindsight, too stark. We apologise for any offence it caused. But it's important that this does not detract from what is a crucial debate for Africans and the international community.”
For weekly gay news, chat and soundbites visit www.mand8.com
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