News

UNI Global Union is disturbed and appalled to learn that an ‘Anti-Homosexuality Bill’ which demonises lesbian and gay people, as well as those who have HIV, is due to be passed into law by the Ugandan Parliament – just hours before the international community marks UN World AIDS Day on 1 December.



Philip Jennings, UNI General Secretary said, “This bill is wholly unacceptable and goes against the equality and freedom the labour movement including UNI stands for. UNI wholly backs the ITUC call that all laws criminalising homosexuality, wherever they exist be repealed.



The effect of this legislation will be to treat homosexuality as a serious criminal offence punishable by up to seven years in prison, and will include, but is not limited to, introducing the death penalty for those accused of being serious offenders, those suspected of ‘aggravated homosexuality’ and those that are HIV-positive. The Bill has also been moved forward without input from civil society or relevant stakeholders in violation of Uganda’s own parliamentary practice and democratic principles.



The Anti-Homosexuality Bill was first submitted to the Ugandan Parliament in October 2009 as a private member’s bill by David Bahati MP. The bill has yet to gain parliamentary approval, but the Speaker of Uganda’s Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, has announced that the country’s Bill will be passed by lawmakers before the end of this year.



Proponents of the Bill have asked the Speaker to pass the law as "a Christmas gift" despite it being clear that the measures it contains are in direct conflict with the International Declaration of Human Rights and the Yogyakarta Principles that apply international human rights law to LGBT people.



Head of UNI Equal Opportunities, Veronica Fernandez-Marquez, said: “I am extremely concerned that such a hateful and stigmatising law could be put to a vote within a few days. I hope Ugandan members of parliament will reject it otherwise such an antiquated and hateful stance will set back the struggle for equality and the fight against the HIV and AIDS epidemic by decades.”



UNI and its affiliates work hard for the right of every person to live their life with equality, dignity and human rights. This includes members of the LGBT community and those people who are affected by HIV and AIDS in the workplace and society.



UNI is encouraging its affiliates to communicate with their national governments to take a clear stance that this sort of legislation cannot be tolerated, and to make representations to the Ugandan government to withdraw the bill.



UNI is also encouraging affiliates to engage in social dialogue to tackle the stigma of HIV and AIDS on 1 December – UN World AIDS Day. More information can be found at: http://www.un.org/en/events/aidsday/