In Uganda, a law that will make homosexuality a crime in the country may be adopted. David Bahati, a member of the Ugandan Parliament claims that the bill will impose punishments ranging from life imprisonment to the death penalty. The bill was believe to have been disposed of last year because of pressure from human rights groups; however, the bill is still alive and on the verge of being passed. A Ugandan newspaper called the Rolling Stone (which is unrelated to the American publication) published a list of the "top 100 homosexuals" in Uganda, causing many of those on the list to face persecution and punishment from their communities. Stosh Mugisha, a woman who appeared on the list, claims that on the day the tabloid was released publicly, a crowd came over to throw rocks at her house. Mugisha and her partner were able to escape their house and avoid being stoned; they are currently in hiding. The editor of Rolling Stone had the intent of targeting Ugandan homosexuals across the nation and having them persecuted by the public. According to a member of the Ugandan Parliament, "God has given us different freedoms, our democracy is giving us different freedoms, but I don't think anyone has the freedom to commit a crime and homosexuality in our country is a crime, it's criminal."
I am extremely outraged and disgusted by what the Ugandan government is trying to do. This is a massive violation of human rights. Who knows what passing this bill could lead to- possibly genocide of part of the population, much like what the Nazis did to homosexuals back then in Germany. Something absolutely NEEDS to be done to stop this law from being passed. The world, already quite screwed up in many ways, will not become a better place if Uganda is allowed to pass such an evil piece of legislation.
3 comments:
This bill is definitely a disgusting and evil piece of legislation, but I do not see how we can directly stop its passage. Surely, we can apply pressure to the government of Uganda (like how human rights groups are doing), but besides that, there aren't many other actions that wouldn't step on Uganda's sovereignty.
While a direct stoppage of the law is unlikely, there are definitely other measures we can take. The international community can punish Uganda, similar to the economic sanctions and embargoes placed on South Africa for their apartheid. Another possible solution is to provide asylum for victims of this hate-filled law.
This bill, one that I thought was left in the past and thus no longer a problem, is frightening, offensive, violating of human rights, and overall ridiculous and absurd. Who someone wants to sleep with is a personal matter, and should be no one else's business but that individual's. Homosexuality is just as "normal" as heterosexuality, and yet no heterosexual couple is being prosecuted for flaunting the fact that they are straight. Why is it only looked down upon for a homosexual couple to openly express their love? Also, the Ugandan government is issuing such EXTREME measures that it is frightening. Like Michael said, this bill may very well lead to a genocide, and who is to say that it will not just stay within Uganda? What happens if this possible genocide spreads to neighboring countries? Is jail time and death really the way to "solve" or "deal" with this "problem"? There are much "worse" acts than sleeping with someone of the same gender, and the people who commit crimes such as rape, murder, robbery, etc. are the ones who should be filling up the jails, not homosexuals. Another thing that angers me is that this is happening because of something that cannot change on its own within the individual; as most of us know, being gay is not a choice. The Ugandan government is depriving the people of their rights to be with who they want to be. I may be biased, but I really just do not see how homosexuality is a crime.
I really hope other countries act on this and prevent this bill from passing.
Big surprise. People hate gay people. When I get emails from people saying "why do you do the things you do? It's not needed, gay people are universally accepted," I say, take a look at Uganda and tell me that gays are not a persecuted minority. I dare you. By the way, do you all know who's FUNDING the congressmemeber sponsoring the bill? "Family values" groups right here in our home nation the USA. So when you join these so-called "Christian family values" groups, what's more important, improving your own personal relationship with God or helping kill gay people in other parts of the world. I'd say, mind your own business and stop ripping families apart because you are insecure with your own failing family. Get over it.
Post a Comment