Reacting to the 3rd April decision of Uganda’s Constitutional Court to uphold all but 4 provisions of the Anti-Homosexuality Act and the fear and injustice felt by our Ugandan civil society allies, Tabitha Ha, Co-Director of Advocacy at STOPAIDS said:
“This decision is deeply disappointing. The Anti-Homosexuality Act violates the health and human rights of Ugandans and is an affront to human dignity. It must be nullified in full.
The provisions that remain are a serious threat to the lives and freedoms of LGBTQ+ Ugandans; violence towards the LGBTQ+ community has increased and there is an alarming reduction in the number of people accessing HIV treatment and services.
Modern anti-LGBTQ+ legislation is rooted in colonial-era criminalisation laws, and thus the British Government must take action to protect the health, human rights and lives of LGBTQ+ Ugandans.
Without immediate and substantive action from the UK, as well as other Governments, the UN and multilateral organisations, further momentum will be granted to the global anti-LGBTQ+ movement that is largely driven and funded by radical evangelicals in the United States who have agitated for this law.
We stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community in Uganda at this difficult time.”
ENDS
Notes:
- Press Release of court verdict: Constitutional Court pronounces itself on the Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023 of Uganda
- U.S. Evangelicals are funding a coordinated global movement to rollback LGBTQ+ rights.
- Ugandan civil society umbrella organisation, Convening for Equality Uganda, statement is here.
STOPAIDS is a UK-based HIV, health and rights network that supports UK and global movements to challenge systemic barriers and inequalities to end AIDS and ensure people around the world can realise their right to good health and wellbeing.
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: jake@stopaids.org.uk or on +447887348161