Gay law opponents petition parliament

By Daily Monitor Reporter
Posted Monday, March 1 2010 at 13:06
In Summary
The activists oppose the clause that requires family and community members to report people suspected to be gays, which they say could be used for political and religious witch-hunt.
Kampala
A group of activists from various civil society organizations have petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, Edward Sekandi, protesting the Anti-Homosexuality Bill that is before the house.
The petitioners including renown HIV/AIDS activist Rubaramira Ruranga, TASO’s Noerine Kaleeba and controversial bishop Christopher Senyonjo, among others presented the online petition signed by over 450,000 people from across the world.
The activists oppose the clause that requires family and community members to report people suspected to be gays, which they say could be used for political and religious witch-hunt.
The petitioners say the bill does not protect Ugandan cultural practices as it violates traditions that teach against intolerance, injustice, hatred and violence.
They are asking Parliament to instead enact laws that will protect people and not humiliate or kill them.
The activists now want the bill withdrawn, adding that it goes against the country’s constitution by encouraging discrimination against the gay people.
Mr Sekandi has promised to refer the petition to the relevant committee for scrutiny and consideration.