Feb 10 Global Day of Action Against the Anti Homosexuality Bill in Uganda

Date 

Add to My Calendar Monday, February 10, 2014 12:00am

Location 

Letter from our comrades in Uganda: "URGENT CALL FOR SOLIDARITY AFTER THE RECENT PASSAGE OF THE ANTI HOMOSEXUALITY BILL IN THE UGANDAN PARLIAMENT.

New York City Action will occur at 5:00 p.m. in front of the Ugandan Embassy at 336 East 45th Street in Manhattan between 1st and 2nd Avenues. Please see Facebook event here for more information.

Why the Day of Action?
If we remain silent, we shall suffer at the hands of Ugandan leaders that have no respect for Human Rights! Silence will not protect us!! We need to speak out against Injustice; We need to speak out FOR Human Rights! We need to speak out against the Anti Homosexuality Bill. We need you to Let Uganda know, through this Day of Action, that the world is watching. We Must demand Justice and respect for Human Rights for all Ugandans.

RSVP for general event on Facebook Here

Background
On 20th December 2013, The Lesbian and Gay Bisexual Transgender Community in Uganda woke up to the grim news that the Anti Homosexuality bill, which had been shelved at the end of 2012 had been passed by Parliament. The bill was passed without Quorum and without Prior mandatory inclusion on the Parliament Order Paper. The bill, if passed into law will be a disaster to the Human Rights of LGBT people, a disaster to public health and the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Recent reports in the national and International Media have indicated that the President ‘will not sign’ the bill and hence it is generally believed that the bill is no longer a threat.

We would like to reiterate that this bill is still a huge threat and a treasure to the majority of Ugandans. It is also worth to note that the power of ascension of a bill doesn’t lay primarily with the President of Uganda. The Parliament of Uganda can also pass the bill into law! The Constitution provides that the president shall within 30 days after a bill is presented to him/her either:

  • Assent to the bill
  • Return the bill to parliament with a request that the bill or a particular provision of it be reconsidered by parliament; or
  • Notify the speaker in writing about the decision

The bill may be reconsidered and then presented for the president’s approval. However it may become law without the president’s assent if he/she returns it to parliament two times. It should have the support of at least two-thirds of all MPs.

Reach out to your family, your co-worker, your friend, your partner; Make sure they join you in speaking out for Human Rights.

Thanks You for the Solidarity!
Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law"

Last modified 

February 10, 2014