President Biden Warns Uganda May Face Sanctions for Its New Anti-Gay Law
US President Biden, UK Parliament Minister Andrew Mitchell, and human rights organizations oppose the government of Uganda passing its Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023.
On Monday, President Biden urged for the “immediate repeal” of Uganda’s severe new anti-gay law, warning that he may impose sanctions and other penalties in response. His response comes after Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signed one of the world’s toughest anti-gay laws that stipulates capital punishment for “serial offenders” against the law and transmission of terminal illnesses like HIV/AIDS through gay sex. It also includes a 20-year sentence for “promoting” homosexuality.
Biden called the Anti-Homosexuality Act “a tragic violation” of human rights in a statement. He added, “The dangers posed by this democratic backsliding are a threat to everyone residing in Uganda, including the U.S. government personnel, the staff of our implementing partners, tourists, members of the business community, and others.”
In a separate statement on Monday night, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the State Department “will develop mechanisms to support the right of LGBTQI+ individuals in Uganda and to promote accountability for Ugandan officials and other individuals responsible for, or complicit in, abusing their human rights.”
Blinken also mentioned that the department is updating its travel guidance to American citizens and to U.S. businesses as well as considering whether to deploy existing visa restrictions against Ugandan officials and other individuals for abuse of universal human rights, including the human rights of LGBTQ+ people.
International Development Minister Andrew Mitchell said in a tweet: “Everyone has the right to live free from discrimination and violence. The UK is appalled that the Government of Uganda has signed the regressive and discriminatory Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 into law.”
However, according to The Guardian, Martin Ssempa, one of the main backers of the bill, thought the passing of the law was a victory against the US and Europe and he suggested that Uganda needed to push back against groups working to address HIV. “The president has shown great courage to defy bullying of Americans and Europeans. That bullying we shall not give you money. They intimidate and threaten you.”
Meanwhile, human rights and HIV organizations are speaking out in solidarity against the law. In a tweet, the UN AIDS, The Global Fund, and PEPFAR, a U.S. government program to help those affected by HIV and AIDS, released a joint statement against the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023.
As reported in The Guardian, Steven Kabuye, a human rights activist in Kampala, said, “President Museveni’s decision to sign the anti-homosexuality act 2023 into law is deeply concerning. This act violates basic human rights and sets a dangerous precedent for discrimination and persecution against the LGBTQ+ community in Uganda.”
Uganda is among 32 nations in Africa that ban same-sex relationships, according to IGLA World. Punishment ranges from imprisonment to the death penalty.
SOURCES: The Guardian, Reuters, and Axios
