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Death penalty for “aggravated” homosexuality

Death penalty for “aggravated” homosexuality

The new legislation in Uganda concerning same-sex activity after the country’s parliament unanimously passed its anti-homosexuality bill confirms an already existing punishment of up to life imprisonment for same-sex activities, although this is seldom brought into force.

It increases to 10 years an attempt at same-sex activity.

It also advocates the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality”, and also makes it a duty for the family of a gay person’s family to report them to the police, with a fine or six months’ imprisonment.

It also outlaws the “promotion of homosexuality” with a punishment of up to 20 years’ imprisonment.

Oryem Nyeko of the Human Rights Watch said: “One of the most extreme features of this new bill is that it criminalises people simply for being who they are as well as further infringing on the rights to privacy, and freedoms of expression and association that are already compromised in Uganda.

“Ugandan politicians should focus on passing laws that protect vulnerable minorities and affirm fundamental rights and stop targeting LGBT people for political capital.”

The bill has to be signed into law by Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni although it is almost certain that he will do so.

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