The General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights back in 1948, and here we are in 2010 with the Ugandan judicial system singling out homosexuals for life imprisonment on the grounds of their sexual orientation and medical conditions – that appears to be a very nasty and clear contravention of articles 2, 3, 7, 12 and 28 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Article 2.
* Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
Article 3.
* Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Article 7.
* All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
Article 12.
* No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Article 28.
* Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.
Should pressure be brought against Uganda for their flagrant contravention of internationally recognized human rights legislation?
What do you all think?
If you think human rights law should apply for Ugandans too, please help by signing the Avaaz petition below:
Dear friends,
Uganda’s government is considering a law that makes being gay punishable by prison or death. Brave Ugandan citizens are appealing to us for help to stop this persecution:
Ugandan Avaaz member Frank must hide his face.
“I could be facing violence, prison and even death for who I am. Across Uganda people are bravely speaking out, but this law will put us in serious danger. Please, sign the Avaaz petition and tell others to stand with us — if there’s a huge global response, our government will see that Uganda will be internationally isolated by this proposed law, and strike it down.”This is an urgent appeal to all of us, sent by Frank, a gay Ugandan Avaaz member.
Widespread condemnation has led Uganda’s Parliament to review the proposed legislation — a law that would make being gay punishable by prison, even death.
Our actions now could save Frank’s life, and many others. Click below to sign the petition and send it on to friends:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/uganda_for_tolerance_1/?cl=472341625&v=5360
The bill proposes life imprisonment for anyone convicted of having same-sex relations, or even intending to do so. It imposes the death penalty for ’serial offender’ homosexuals and gay people living with AIDS.
Members of the public face up to three years in jail if they fail to report any homosexual activity to police within 24 hours. And NGOs working with the gay community on HIV prevention or human rights could be imprisoned for up to 7 years for ‘promoting homosexuality’.
The bill’s advocates claim that it defends Uganda’s culture. But its strongest critics come from within Uganda.
The Dean of Law at Makerere University argues that the bill undermines family life and violates Uganda’s Constitution. The Archbishop of York, born in Uganda, has condemned the bill as ‘victimising,’ and the Reverend Canon Gideon Byamugisha — a Ugandan Anglican priest — has written to Avaaz saying:
“This bill is not about protecting Ugandan culture and traditions. On the contrary it is violating our cultures, traditions and religious values that teach against intolerance, injustice, hatred and violence. We need laws to protect people, not ones that will humiliate, ridicule, persecute and kill them en masse. Thank you for Avaaz’s campaigning for safer, healthier, more peaceful, and more productive lives for ALL Ugandans.”
Click below to sign the petition, and pass this message on to friends and family. Across Africa and the world, let’s send a united message that we reject persecution and denial of human rights everywhere:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/uganda_for_tolerance_1/?vl
In Uganda, a group of ultra-conservative religious extremists have built a highly vocal, well-organised and funded PR effort supporting this bill. But a new alliance of Church leaders, health services, gay groups, and human rights lawyers are mobilising to respond, and they say our support is crucial.
In the last three years, five African countries have criminalised gay people. By rejecting this dangerous law, and demonstrating the breadth of opposition to it, we can help set a crucial precedent. Let’s stand with Uganda’s Frank and Canon Byamugisha and oppose this bill:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/uganda_for_tolerance_1/?vl
With hope and determination,
Alice, Ricken, Ben, Paul, Benjamin, Pascal, Raluca, Graziela and the whole Avaaz team
PS: Although people around the world hold many views about issues relating to sexuality and gay rights, we are united in opposing this threatened mass violation of basic rights. In a poll of the Avaaz community, 90% of members urged Avaaz to launch this campaign (only 3.8% opposed it), including 89.4% support in Africa and 91.9% support in Latin America.
Our strength is in our numbers — please forward this information to anyone who might want to join:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/uganda_for_tolerance_1/?vl
SOURCES
African letter to Ugandan President to throw out Anti-homosexual bill: Uganda — Anti-homosexuality bill violates human rights:
http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=22761Ugandan church leader brands anti-gay bill ‘genocide’:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/2009/dec/04/gideon-byamugisha-homosexuality-billUganda’s Anti-Homosexual bill:
http://wthrockmorton.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/anti-homosexuality-bill-2009.pdfUganda anti-gay bill may change, says MP Bahati:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8472085.stmThe U.S. Christian Right and the Attack on Gays in Africa:
http://www.publiceye.org/magazine/v24n4/us-christian-right-attack-on-gays-in-africa.htmlHuman Rights Impact Assessment of Uganda’s Anti-homosexuality Bill By Sylvia Tamale, The Dean of Law at Uganda’s Makerere University:
http://www.zeleza.com/blogging/african-affairs/human-rights-impact-assessment-ugandas-anti-homosexuality-bill-sylvia-tamal—————-
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