Uganda - Shocking the World
Last year the Uganda government proposed a law that shocked the world. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uganda_Anti-Homosexuality_Bill This proposed bill would allow for the complete criminalization of Homosexuality and in some cases goes so far as to prescribe the death penalty. The bill even allows for the punishment of those who don’t report homosexuals. Although, lifetime imprisonment already exists in Uganda for convicted homosexuals, this bill is unique in the sense that while previously proof of penetration was needed, this bill extends the definition of “homosexuality” to “Touch(ing) another person of the same sex with the intent to commit homosexual acts. It also allows for the execution of HIV positive men, as well as imprisonment for supporting gay rights or providing services to the LGBT community.
There is coverage over this bill but it wasn’t until recently that the world government decided to take a stand. US Senator Feingoldhttp://campaign.russfeingold.org/site/SurveyACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&SURVEY_ID=2100
is actively pushing through a law to compel the Obama administration to provide direct military assistance in dealing with the “Lords Resistance Army.” http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/lra.htmThe British Prime Minister and several other leaders have voiced their distaste for such a bill.
http://lesbianlife.about.com/b/2009/12/09/death-to-the-gays-could-it-happen-here.htm
With the horrific realities of this proposed law, it comes as no surprise that the Vatican has remained quiet on the issue of this proposed genocide in Uganda. Considering 42% of Ugandans are Catholic, you would think that the Papal Government would have something to say, especially considering the history it has faced with the former Nazi government and the Jewish population of Europe.
The World Council of Churches however, published an open letter to President Museveni
http://globalpolitician.com/24089-kenya
saying they are “saddened and distressed” by the proposed law. The American World Jewish Service has even spoken out by writing an open letter to Congress and emphasizing that the people from within Uganda are speaking out and working against this legislation at great risk to themselves.
I would really hope to see some action by not only the US government, but all nations that are members of the UN. We provide a lot of monetary aid to Uganda, last year alone we spent $285 Million to fight HIV/Aids and over $1.2 Billion since 2004. This proposed bill would crush any chance of helping the people of Uganda with this issue.
