CALL FOR GLOBAL PROTESTS OVER UGANDA BILL

Following yesterday’s protest at Uganda’s High Commission in Pretoria, activists in Uganda have called for more protests against the country’s anti-gay bill.

Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) has requested that supporters stage protests against the homophobic legislation at the diplomatic missions of Uganda leading up to Human Rights Day on December 10.

Demonstrations have already been planned to take place in New York City and Washington this Thursday.

The Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009, which is now before Uganda’s parliament, aims to build on the current homophobic legislation already in force in that country by adding further offences and even more stringent punishments for anyone caught committing the “crime” of homosexuality.

Among the horrific clauses in the proposed law is the imposition of the death penalty for what the bill terms “aggravated homosexuality”, punishment for people who do not report on gays and lesbians and the criminalisation of activists who work in LGBTI organisations.

Local activists have slammed the South African government for not taking a public stance against the bill.