Sanctions for Ugandan legal HIV-phobia?

posted: 21/04/2010

Plans are being made to stop the Ugandan MP from entering the UK, who is pushing a proposed law that would mean the death penalty for gay men with HIV who have sex.
 

Civil servants in the Foreign Office, the Department for International Development, and the UK Border Agency are planning to cancel the UK travel visa of born-again Christian MP David Bahati. They want him to drop his law that would see consenting adults who have gay sex imprisoned for life, and which would impose the death penalty on those with HIV – offences called "aggravated homosexuality".
 

The bill also proposes the death penalty for those having gay sex with anyone under the age of 18, with someone disabled or what the legislation describes as "serial offenders". It also calls for life prison sentences for those "promoting homosexuality", which could come to mean human rights groups or those who fail to inform on a gay couple.
 

Expect a Diplomatic Incident
One senior British government source said the issue could turn into a "major diplomatic incident if the Ugandans do not back down". President Barack Obama has already described the legislation as odious. The British government's views have been conveyed to Uganda but officials have not received a clear sense of whether the legislature will pass the bill into law. Ugandan government officials appear to be using stalling tactics, suggesting it will not come to a vote until 2011, deflecting pressure from a government that could change in the forthcoming general election.
 

Bahati submitted a private member's bill to the Ugandan parliament last year arguing that homosexuality is a lifestyle choice. Gay sex is already illegal in Uganda but backbenchers there are pushing for more draconian punishment by preying on fears that homosexuals are "recruiting" children at schools. Though observers believe President Yoweri Museveni was beaten back by the level of international opprobrium, a march against homosexuality in Uganda last month attracted 2,000 supporters.
 

African anti-gay wave
The British government is concerned by a wave of anti-gay sentiment sweeping Africa that has also put pressure on homosexual people in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Nigeria.

Sanctions on the way
Besides cancelling the travel visa of the backbencher, other options considered include blocking aid to the Ugandan government. However it seems the government has switched to blocking individuals’ visas, amidst signs that threats to withhold aid could backfire. Bishop Joseph Bvumbwe, chairman of the Malawi Council of Churches, has accused western donors of trying to use aid as a lever to force Malawi to legalise homosexuality. British officials have already cancelled the visas of those involved in the Kenyan election riots and members of the Zimbabwean government.
 

Source
 

Uganda Spins on HIV Death Penalty?

posted: 08/01/2010

A Ugandan minister says the government will ask the MP (David Bahati - who tabled the proposed anti-gay law as a private member's bill) to withdraw the 'aggravating' clauses that require the death penalty - such as for people with HIV.

Minister of State for Investment Aston Kajara said late on Thursday that the government fears a backlash from foreign investors over the bill, which has provoked criticism from gay rights groups and protests in London, New York and Washington. Kajara says the proposed bill tarnishes Uganda's image.

President Yoweri Museveni has told colleagues he believes the bill is too harsh and has encouraged the ruling party to overturn the death sentence provision, which would apply to sexually active gays living with HIV or in cases of same-sex rape.

Source

But the very well informed Ugandan blog GayUganda says this is largely Ugandan government spin. This blog has links to the text of the draft law.

The blogger appeals for continued pressure from outside Uganda:

'So, please, all out there, do one thing. Continue the heat. Because the battle is being fought in Public Opinion, and political circles OUTSIDE Uganda. Please continue the heat, the pressure on YOUR politicians.

Christians out there, your role is still big. This bill is in the Name of Christ. I do know that the government is feeling the pressure.'

More about the Ugandan anti-gay law proposals on our two earlier reports

- first report

- second report

Image source

Report and videos of London protests at Uganda House