Ugandas præsident under pres for ikke at skrive loven under, både fra ind og udland – loven mødes med en haglbyge af kritik fra aktivister og NGOer, som vurderer, at kampen mod den farlige hiv-smitte, der kan føre til aids i udbrud, sættes år tilbage.
KAMPALA, 23 December 2013 (IRIN): The draconian Anti-Homosexuality Bill passed by Uganda’s parliament on 20 December would deliver a major blow to the response to HIV/AIDS if it was enacted by President Yoweri Museveni, activists have warned.
Those found guilty of homosexual acts can be jailed for up to 14 years under the new law, a sentence that increases to life in “aggravated” cases, such as those committed by an HIV positive person, or those involving minors (mindreårige), the disabled and serious offenders.
Civil society activists fear that high-risk groups such as men who have sex with men (MSM) and sex workers – whose HIV prevalence (udbredelse) is 13,7 and 33 percent respectively – will see their already limited access to prevention and treatment further eroded.
Amnesty International called the law “a grave assault on human rights which makes a mockery of (gør grin med) the Ugandan constitution.
“President Museveni should avoid the trap of scapegoating (gøre til syndebukke) a vulnerable minority in the interests of short-term political gain,” said Daniel Bekele, Africa director at Human Rights Watch.
“He should recognize that this repugnant (afskyvækkende) bill is of no benefit to Ugandans – that it only serves to jeopardize basic rights – and reject it.”
The United States government has called for the bill not to be enacted (det har den danske regering også, red.).
Here is a selection of reactions from those working on the frontline of the response to HIV/AIDS:
Pepe Julian Onziema, programme director, Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), a local rights group
“It is with deep disappointment that I receive the news of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill passing in our Parliament.”
“If the bill is assented to (håndhæves), the Act would spell a major setback for Uganda’s gains against HIV/AIDS as it will compromise doctor-patient confidentiality, which will push affected LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) persons further underground for fear of prosecution.”
Asia Russell, Director of International Policy, Health GAP
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http://www.irinnews.org/report/99380/new-law-a-setback-for-uganda-s-hiv-response
