Equality charity calls on Foreign Secretary to recall the UK ambassador to Uganda and use diplomatic channels to uphold LGBT human rights world-wide.
The Equality Network, the Scottish lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality charity, will hold a national protest in Edinburgh against a new anti-gay bill signed into law today by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.
The new law punishes LGBT people with up to life imprisonment for acts of aggravated homosexuality, criminalises the promotion and recognition of same-sex relationships, and makes it a crime not to report LGBT people to the police.
The Equality Network claims the impact of the law is likely to make it almost impossible for people to be openly LGBT in Uganda, and will severely restrict the work of LGBT support groups and charities in the country.
The protest, will take place on the Mound precinct in central Edinburgh from noon on Friday, March 7, has been organized by the Equality Network to show that Scotland stands in solidarity with LGBT people in Uganda and those suffering human rights infringements worldwide.
The Equality Network is calling on UK Foreign Secretary William Hague to recall the UK’s ambassador to Uganda, and use its diplomatic channels to ensure LGBT human rights are upheld in Uganda and around the world. The charity is also calling on the UK government to urgently review the aid the UK provides to Uganda to ensure funds provide maximum support for equality.
Scott Cuthbertson, Community Development Coordinator for the Equality Network, said: “This is a sad day for humanity and a devastating blow to equality and human rights around the world. The signing into law of regressive legislation in Uganda will see the mass criminalisation of LGBT people, and anyone who supports or helps them.”
“As the eyes of the world fall on Scotland during the Commonwealth Games we must stand shoulder-to-shoulder with LGBT people in Uganda and all those around the world facing violence, discrimination and imprisonment because of who they are and who they love.
“We call on the UK Government to make a strong stand for human rights by recalling the UK ambassador to Uganda for consultation, and by urgently reviewing the distribution of UK aid to Uganda to ensure maximum support for human rights while maintaining the level of funding.”
The Scottish protest will coincide with an international day of action called by Nigerian LGBT activists who are facing similar laws and restrictions in Nigeria.
The Equality Network says that while Scotland has made significant progress towards achieving LGBT equality in the law and society, the situation for LGBT people is deteriorating in many countries, with anti-gay laws being passed recently in Uganda, Nigeria, and Russia, and over 70 countries worldwide still having laws that criminalise homosexuality with punishments ranging from fines, to imprisonment, and the death penalty.
The charity points out that more than half of the 78 countries that criminalise homosexuality belong to the Commonwealth, which it says is a disturbing legacy of colonial rule.
Later this year Glasgow will host the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the Equality Network will be working with the Scottish Government and LGBT groups across the Commonwealth to highlight the challenges many LGBT people continue to face.
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