The Anti-Homosexuality Bill would severely curtail the rights and freedoms of human rights defenders in Uganda by imposing severe limitations on the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly.

Further Information

The Parliament of Uganda has resumed work on the Anti-Homosexuality Bill which may be passed before 18 May 2011, date by which the current parliament will have to conclude its pending work before a new parliament is sworn in. The Anti-Homosexuality Bill would severely curtail the rights and freedoms of human rights defenders in Uganda by imposing severe limitations on the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly.

The bill threatens the existence of human rights organisations working on sexual minorities issues as well as the safety and liberty of human rights defenders and civil society activists. The revival of the bill comes at a time of increased repression of human rights in Uganda following the general elections in February of this year, and the recent countrywide protests over rising costs of living.

The second reading of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill is due to take place on 11 May 2011 and follows public hearings held on 6 and 9 May 2011. The Bill may then be approved in a matter of days, before the end of parliamentary work on 18 May.

Front Line is gravely concerned that the passing of the bill would further hamper the work of human rights defenders and public health workers who work with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex people (LGBTI). The bill introduces in the penal code a new provision criminalising any form of "promotion of homosexuality", thus banning the work of any human rights organisations advocating for the protection of LGBTI people or, for example, addressing issues around sexuality in education. The bill would also result in the serious impediment to effective anti HIV-AIDS programmes.

The bill effectively prohibits any kind of community or political organising around sexuality in Uganda, criminalises advocacy and support for the rights of homosexual Ugandans, and prohibits any public discussion of homosexuality. The bill severely curtails the rights, protections and freedoms of LGBTI rights defenders and poses a risk to the wider community of human rights defenders in Uganda through its effect upon freedom of expression, conscience, association, and assembly, as well as internationally recognised protections against discrimination.

The reappearance in parliament of this bill comes at a a time when the Government appears to respond in a severe manner to demonstrations taking place in Uganda and in particular the Walk to Work campaign that has taken place in protest at the rising cost of living. It is reported that at least nine people have been killed by government forces and dozens injured during these protests which began on 11 April. Approximately seven hundred arrests were made during countrywide demonstrations which took place on 29 April 2011.

Front Line urges the authorities in Uganda to:

1. Unconditionally reject the 'Anti-Homosexuality' Bill, as it would severely curtail the rights and freedoms of human rights defenders and their legitimate human rights work;

2. Guarantee that all human rights defenders in Uganda are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals, and free of all restrictions including judicial harassment.