We, the undersigned Members of Parliament, are alarmed by the adoption of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023 by the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda and strongly condemn the passing of this retrograde legislation denying sexual and gender diverse persons their very existence.
Some of the most grievous provisions of the Bill running contrary to international human rights law include life imprisonment on conviction for the offense of homosexuality; and the death penalty for the offense of aggravated homosexuality, which includes same-sex relations with “a person with a disability” or with a person under 18 years.
The effects of this Anti-Homosexuality Bill are far-reaching and violate fundamental human rights of sexual and gender diverse persons, including their rights to life and liberty, freedom from torture, freedom of expression, association, and privacy. The Bill, furthermore, introduces a “duty to report homosexuality,” i.e., a person who knows or has reasonable suspicion that a person has committed or intends to commit the offense of homosexuality is obliged to report the matter to the police.
The Anti-Homosexuality Bill runs counter to the Constitution of Uganda; the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights; the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR); the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR); the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women; the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment; and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, by limiting the rights of sexual and gender diverse persons and effectively depriving them of equal protection under the law. Equality and non-discrimination are fundamental to building peaceful, just, and inclusive societies, which we, as parliamentarians, pledged to uphold in our respective countries.
As parliamentarians, we all must ensure equal protection under our respective laws, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity, without discrimination.
Therefore, we, Members of Parliament from around the world, call on President Museveni not to assent to the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023 and thus prevent it from becoming law and entering into force.
The PGA Secretariat stands ready to assist you in these or other actions. For technical assistance, please contact:
Ms. Melissa Verpile
Director
E:
Mr. Aron le Fèvre
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Consultant
E:
