This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-65034343
The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Uganda's new anti-gay bill sparks attack fears | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Watch: Cheers and applause as Uganda passes anti-gay bill | Watch: Cheers and applause as Uganda passes anti-gay bill |
| Watch: Cheers and applause as Uganda passes anti-gay bill | Watch: Cheers and applause as Uganda passes anti-gay bill |
| A bill passed by Uganda's parliament that would criminalise people who simply identify as gay has sparked fear among the sexual minority community. | |
| "There is a lot of blackmail. People are receiving calls that 'if you don't give me money, I will report that you are gay,'" an activist told the BBC. | |
| Individuals could face lengthy prison terms if the bill is signed into law by President Yoweri Museveni. | Individuals could face lengthy prison terms if the bill is signed into law by President Yoweri Museveni. |
| Homosexual acts are already illegal in the East African country. | Homosexual acts are already illegal in the East African country. |
| But the Anti-Homosexuality bill seeks to go further and criminalise people on the basis of their sexual identity. It was passed with widespread support in Uganda's parliament on Tuesday evening. | |
| Under the proposed legislation, friends, family and members of the community would have a duty to report individuals in same-sex relationships to the authorities. | |
| Activists and LGBT people in Uganda have said that anti-homosexuality sentiment in the country is exposing them to physical and online violence, and that the bill may have far-reaching consequences for Ugandans in general. | |
| In the weeks before the debate, anti-homosexuality sentiment was prominent in the media, an activist who wanted to remain anonymous told the BBC. | |
| "Members of the queer community have been blackmailed, extorted for money or even lured into traps for mob attacks," the activist said. | |
| "In some areas even law enforcers are using the current environment to extort money from people who they accuse of being gay. Even some families are reporting their own children to the police." | |
| The bill will now go to President Museveni who can choose to use his veto - and maintain good relations with Western donors and investors - or sign it into law. | |
| He has made several anti-gay comments in recent weeks, and also criticised Western countries for putting pressure on Uganda over the issue. | |
| Another LGBTQ+ activist accused the government of using the bill to distract the public from its failures to address some of their pressing economic concerns. | |
| "They are trying to drum up anti-gay rhetoric to divert attention from really what is important to Ugandans in general. There is no reason why you should have a bill that criminalises individuals that are having consensual same-sex adult relationships," Clare Byarugaba, LGBTQ+ Rights Activist, Chapter Four Uganda told the BBC. | |
| The bill's backers say they are trying to protect children but Ms Byarugaba said: "Whether you're heterosexual or homosexual, the government and parliament should introduce laws, or at least implement existing laws that protect all children - boys, girls from defilement. So the issue of recruitment has been unproven, it is baseless, it is biased."" | |
| What does the bill say? | |
| The final version has yet to be officially published but elements discussed in parliament include: | |
| A person who is convicted of grooming or trafficking children for purposes of engaging them in homosexual activities faces life in prison | |
| Individuals or institutions which support or fund LGBT rights' activities or organisations, or publish, broadcast and distribute pro-gay media material and literature, also face prosecution and imprisonment. | Individuals or institutions which support or fund LGBT rights' activities or organisations, or publish, broadcast and distribute pro-gay media material and literature, also face prosecution and imprisonment. |
| A small group of Ugandan MPs on a committee scrutinising the bill disagreed with its premise. They argue the offences it seeks to criminalise are already covered in the country's Penal Code Act. | A small group of Ugandan MPs on a committee scrutinising the bill disagreed with its premise. They argue the offences it seeks to criminalise are already covered in the country's Penal Code Act. |
| In 2014, Uganda's constitutional court nullified another act which had toughened laws against the LGBT community. | |
| It included making it illegal to promote and fund LGBT groups and activities, as well as reiterating that homosexual acts should be punished by life imprisonment, and was widely condemned by Western countries. | |
| The court ruled that the legislation be revoked because it had been passed by parliament without the required quorum. | |
| Same-sex relations are banned in about 30 African countries, where many people uphold conservative religious and social values. | Same-sex relations are banned in about 30 African countries, where many people uphold conservative religious and social values. |
| A Ugandan transgender woman who was recently attacked and is currently being sheltered watches the vote on TV | A Ugandan transgender woman who was recently attacked and is currently being sheltered watches the vote on TV |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| LGBT rights in Africa | LGBT rights in Africa |
| Uganda | Uganda |