UGANDA: IBAHRI CONDEMNS DEATH PENALTY FOR HOMOSEXUALITY

November 4, 2009: the International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) condemned a proposal in Uganda to impose the death penalty for 'aggravated homosexuality' in the Anti Homosexuality Bill which was recently introduced into the Ugandan Parliament.
Under the Bill, 'aggravated homosexuality' is deemed to exist when a homosexual act occurs with disabled persons, persons below the age of 18 or when one of the parties is HIV-positive.
'Uganda's Penal Code already contains 15 capital offences and there are 637 prisoners on death row', said IBAHRI Co-Chair Martin Solc. 'This Bill adds sexual activity to that list.'
Dr Phillip Tahmindjis, Deputy Director of IBAHRI, said: 'This Bill is an attack on human dignity at several levels. It provides life imprisonment for homosexuality and seven years imprisonment for 'promoters' of homosexuality, such as publishers. The Ugandan Constitution provides for equality, privacy, freedom of speech and freedom from discrimination”.
“The Bill is really an attack on sexuality rather than a protection for the vulnerable.  Its name – the Anti Homosexuality Bill – indicates its real intention,” he added. (Sources: AllAfrica.com, 04/11/2009)