PINK NEWS
Civil rights activists delivered a petition containing almost half a million signatures to Uganda’s parliament today in protest over the country’s anti-homosexuality bill.
The online petition was organised by campaign group Avaaz, which hopes to eventually garner one million signatures.
It was delivered to Uganda’s parliament in Kampala this morning by a delegation led by Anglican priest Canon Gideon Byamugisha.
The petition was accompanied by a letter asking parliament to reject the controversial bill and instead pass legislation to protect gay people.
The Daily Monitor reports that the Speaker of Parliament Edward Sekandi promised the delegation he would refer the petition to a committee for scrutiny.
If passed, the legislation will impose the death penalty on those who have homosexual sex with a minor, disabled person, while infected with AIDS.
The death penalty would also be imposed on repeat offenders, while others convicted for having gay sex would be jailed for life, instead of the current 14-year term.
Those who fail to report homosexual activity, such as relatives, teachers, landlords or health workers, would also face prison sentences.
The bill is now before parliament and awaiting debate.
Pressure has been building on Uganda to reject it in the past few months and world leaders such as US president Barack Obama and UK prime minister Gordon Brown have urged Ugandan leaders to withdraw it.
I'm happy to know the petition was delivered. It shows just how people can come together despite their difference for the common good or in this case preventing a greater evil. I hope it has some impact on the proceedings of the bill. It's sad how some of the churches are treating the bill, but also heartening that there are those who believe in the dignity of life and freedom for such.
ReplyDeleteI'm praying to will impact the debate and the bill. All things happen in God's own time, and I believe that God won't make His children suffer more than they can bear no matter how hard it may seem.
My prayers are with those members of our community within Uganda who are already subject and may be increasingly subject to pain and hardship. But keep pressing and they shall have wings like an eagle and they will walk and not faint, God will be their support, guide and friend. The international community has them in our thoughts/prayers.