British students protest for LGBT rights in Uganda.
The National Union of Students (NUS) is organising an emergency demonstration outside the Ugandan embassy this week over continued persecution of the LGBT (lesbian,gay,bisexual,transgender) community within the country.
The campaign will be handing a letter of protest to the Ugandan embassy calling on the country to respect equality and freedom.
“We call on individuals and groups, to protest against the intimidation, arrest and torture of LGBT people in Uganda. We will be handing a letter of protest to the Ugandan Ambassador calling on his Government to respect the provisions enshrined in the
Ugandan Constitution giving citizens rights to equality and freedom,” said Claire Anderson of the NUS LGBT campaign.
Homosexuality in Uganda is punishable with life imprisonment. State-funded HIV campaigns refuse to promote safer sex and condoms to same-sex partners. Whilst in 2004 the Ugandan broadcasting council fined a radio station for airing a debate about gay issues.
Last month Ugandan tabloid newspaper the Red Pepper, outed 58 alleged lesbian and gay people and urged readers to send more names, so they too can be outed. The paper also published a list of underground gay venues, exposing them to the risk of homophobic attack.
Outrage campaigner Peter Tatchell said “Ugandans should be judged by the quality of their character, not by their sexual orientation”.
The protest is being held this Friday 22nd September at 4pm outside the Ugandan Embassy at 58/59 Trafalgar Square, London.
