Every human being deserves to be treated with dignity and respect; the color of skin, gender, caste, creed, or religion should not result in discrimination against any individual.
Present-day discrimination in society moreover is based on the sexual preferences and gender identity of a person. The situation further worsens when a state or government passes bills and laws denying medical services or education.
Conservative countries often find the idea of LGBTQ unnatural and attempt to suppress them. Uganda, an African country is in the spotlight due to its government’s recent passing of an anti-gay law.
The United Nations Human Rights called out Uganda Government for passing the bill.
The UNHR is appalled by the decision of the government to make an anti-gay law and additionally, UNHR has also called out for an urgent judicial review of the decision.
The tweet from UNHR reads,
” #Uganda: We are appalled that the draconian and discriminatory anti-gay bill is now law. It is a recipe for systematic violations of the rights of LGBT people & the wider population. It conflicts with the Constitution and international treaties and requires urgent judicial review.”
#Uganda: We are appalled that the draconian and discriminatory anti-gay bill is now law. It is a recipe for systematic violations of the rights of LGBT people & the wider population. It conflicts with the Constitution and international treaties and requires urgent judicial… pic.twitter.com/cD7Gnwap95
— UN Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) May 29, 2023
Uganda Anti-Gay Law
Uganda is one of the African nations where homosexuality is illegal and it is a punishable offense for unnatural acts and is frowned upon in society.
However, recently the President of Uganda Yoweri Museveni approved the anti-gay law based on a bill passed by its parliament. The law is considered the toughest law against the LGBTQ community.
Death Penalty
Uganda with this law becomes one of the few nations to legalize the death penalty for the act. However, the law does not charge everyone involved in gay acts to be subjected to capital punishment.
As per the new law, a person found guilty of involving in an act of homosexuality with a person below 18 and/ or if such act results in an STD like HIV can be awarded the death penalty.
Anti-HIV
The experts believe that this law and existing regulations for seeking basic and vital health services for timely diagnosis of HIV will be hampered due to fear of the law.
However, as per the 2014 laws, intentional transmission of HIV is a punishable offense. Pregnant women and victims of sexual attacks are required to take compulsory HIV tests. Failure to do so will attract punishments.
Despite the decrease in mother-to-child HIV transmission to less than 3 percent, these tests are being feared. Moreover, numerous arrests and punishments were awarded to persons testing HIV positive under this act.
Ugandan’s Reaction
It appears that the President of Uganda has hit the nail on its head through his statement of “preserving family sanctity”.
The tweets in reply to the tweet by UNHR condemn the United Nations’ attempts to interfere with internal matters of the UN. One of the users tweeted, “
So it matters if “It conflicts with the Constitution and international treaties”😂
But DOESNT MATTER if “It conflicts with our traditional and societal values?😂
Why MUST THE WORLD BEND TO THE NORMS OF THE WEST?
How many #African cultural norms have you adopted?”
🤣👨🦽💃👟🏃♂️🔥
So it matters if "It conflicts with the Constitution and international treaties"😂
But DOESNT MATTER if "It conflicts with our traditional and societal values?😂
Why MUST THE WORLD BEND TO THE NORMS OF THE WEST?
How many #African cultural norms have you adopted?
— 🇺🇬 Erisa Allan SWASTA Masaba (@AllanSwasta256) May 29, 2023
In summary, only time can tell us whether Uganda will succumb to the pressure from the United Nations or continue its anti-gay law. Also, tell us what is your opinion on this tweet by UNHR.
Last Updated on by kalidaspandian