Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2014: Difference between revisions
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If passed, the bill will require authorities who are aware of anyone who is offending this act to report them within 24 hours. If an individual does not do so he or she "commit[s] an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding 250 currency points or imprisonment not exceeding three years."<ref name="boxturtlebulletin">[http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2009/10/15/15609 HTML of bill]</ref> |
If passed, the bill will require authorities who are aware of anyone who is offending this act to report them within 24 hours. If an individual does not do so he or she "commit[s] an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding 250 currency points or imprisonment not exceeding three years."<ref name="boxturtlebulletin">[http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2009/10/15/15609 HTML of bill]</ref> |
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Currently, Uganda criminalizes |
Currently, Uganda criminalizes homosexual sexual relations for being "against the order of nature," <ref>http://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/blog/show/4717</ref> in keeping with the traditional common law treatment of [[buggery]]. |
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== Proponents == |
== Proponents == |
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Revision as of 21:34, 1 December 2009
The Anti-Homosexuality Bill is a piece of proposed legislation under consideration in Uganda.[1] It was proposed on 13 October 2009 by Member of Parliament David Bahati and would, if enacted, broaden the criminalization of homosexuality in Uganda, including introducing the death penalty for people who have previous convictions, who are HIV-positive, or who engage in sexual acts with those under 18,[2] introducing extradition for those engaging in same-sex sexual relations outside Uganda, and penalising individuals, companies, media organizations, or NGOs who support LGBT rights.
If passed, the bill will require authorities who are aware of anyone who is offending this act to report them within 24 hours. If an individual does not do so he or she "commit[s] an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding 250 currency points or imprisonment not exceeding three years."[3]
Currently, Uganda criminalizes homosexual sexual relations for being "against the order of nature," [4] in keeping with the traditional common law treatment of buggery.
Proponents
It is alleged that several Americans have been instrumental in bringing about the development of the bill, such as Scott Lively, Caleb Lee Brundidge, and Don Schmierer, a board member on Exodus International,[5][6] though Exodus itself opposes the bill, and Lively has indicated he is against re-introduction of the death-penalty[7]
Opponents
Several Christian organizations oppose it, including the Anglican Church of Canada, Integrity Uganda, Exodus International, Accepting Evangelicals, Changing Attitude, Courage, Ekklesia, Fulcrum, Inclusive Church and the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement.[8]
Divisions are emerging in the Anglican communion however. In response to the Church of Canada intervention, one local Anglican prelate is reported as saying: "Ugandan Parliament, the watch dog of our laws, please go ahead and put the anti-gay laws in place. It is then that we become truly accountable to our young and to this country, not to Canada or England. We are in charge!"[9]
To date, there has been no public comment from Uganda’s Catholic leadership.
On November 27, 2009, during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom expressed his opposition of the bill to Uganda president Yoweri Museveni.[10] Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper also expressed opposition privately to Museveni and "indicated Canada's deep concern, strong opposition of the fact we deplore these kinds of measures."[11]
United Nations involvement
The United Nations is unable to get involved with the legislation, because the enacting of bill cannot be classified as genocide under the United Nation's definition of the word. The United Nations' definition of the word only includes race, national origin, sex and religion. Should the United Nations attempt to change this definition to include sexual orientation, they would need two thirds majority vote by the member states, since it follows parliamentary procedure. Since there are a number of nations with laws against homosexuality, it may be a controversial action.[12][unreliable source?]
See also
External link
References
- ^ BBC News: Uganda MP urges death for gay sex
- ^ Geen, Jessica (15 October 2009). "Ugandan MP proposes that gays should be executed". Pink News. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
- ^ HTML of bill
- ^ http://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/blog/show/4717
- ^ Pambazuka news: Bahati’s bill: A convenient distraction for Uganda's government
- ^ Helping Hand For Homophobia From U.S. Christians
- ^ Ugandan Government Poised to Harshly Prosecute Homosexuals
- ^ Right-wing evangelicals challenge Ugandan President over anti-gay bill
- ^ http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/anti-gay-bill-uganda-challenges-catholics-take-stand
- ^ British PM against anti-gay legislation
- ^ Harper tells Ugandan president Canada 'deplores' African country's law targeting gays
- ^ associatedcontent.com/article/2443174/analysis_why_the_united_nations_cant.html Analysis: Why the United Nations Can't Get Involved with Ugandan Anti-Homosexual Legislation - Associated Content - associatedcontent.com] Retrieved 2009-11-30