Uganda govt bans LGBTQ, offenders to face death penalty

 

Ugandans who identify as LGBT now face the possibility of spending the rest of their lives in prison due to the parliament's adoption of a new law to crack down on gay activity.

In some cases, it also entails the death penalty.

A rights activist told the BBC that she was concerned about additional attacks on LGBT individuals as a result of the debate over the bill.

Although Uganda already forbids gay behavior, this measure creates a number of additional offenses.

In addition to making it illegal for someone to merely self-identify as gay for the first time, friends, family, and community members would be accountable for informing the police about persons in same-sex relationships.

It was endorsed by a large majority in Uganda's parliament on Tuesday night.

"This deeply repressive legislation will institutionalize discrimination, hatred, and prejudice against LGBTI people - including those who are perceived to be LGBTI - and block the legitimate work of civil society, public health professionals, and community leaders," said Tigere Chagutah, director of Amnesty International for East and Southern Africa.

Although the final version of the anti-gay legislation in Uganda has not yet been made public, parts that have been discussed in parliament include:

• A person who is found guilty of trafficking or grooming children for homosexual activity gets a life sentence in prison.

• Additionally, those who write, broadcast, and distribute pro-gay media content and literature, as well as those who support or financially assist LGBT rights organizations or activities, risk prosecution and jail.

• Any media organization, journalist, or publisher who publishes, broadcasts, or distributes material that "promotes homosexuality" or promotes gay rights risks prosecution and imprisonment.
• Death punishment for "aggravated homosexuality," which is defined as sexually abusing children, people with disabilities, or other vulnerable individuals, or in situations when a victim of homosexual attack contracts a life-long sickness
• Also, property owners run the possibility of going to jail if their properties are used as a "brothel" for homosexual acts or any other actions related to the rights of sexual minorities.