The US urges Uganda to ‘stop enactment’ of anti-gay law
The US has urged Uganda to cease the enactment of an anti-gay law passed by the country’s parliament on Friday.
The bill increases the penalty for other acts – including mere sexual touching – from seven years to life imprisonment.
In a State Department statement, the US was heavily critical of the law.
The statement said: “We condemn legislation that criminalises consensual sexual conduct between adults or criminalises simply being of a particular sexual orientation or gender identity.”
It went on to say that the US “respects the sovereignty of Uganda and the prerogatives of its parliament to pass legislation.”
“Nevertheless… we oppose any legislation that undermines a person’s enjoyment of his or her human rights.”
The message also noted that “a number of Ugandan government institutions have already spoken out against further criminalisation of homosexuality.”
This statement came along the same lines as the statement made by President Obama, who called the law, when it was proposed, “odious”.
