Ugandan human rights activists appeal ruling on anti-LGBTQ law: summary

Protesters picket against Uganda’s anti-gay bill at the Uganda High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa. Alet Pretorius/Gallo Images/Getty Images

Source: https://www.cfr.org/article/africas-struggle-toward-inclusive-lgbtq-laws

Ugandan human rights activists have taken their fight against the country's Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA) to the Supreme Court, filing an appeal against a recent decision by the constitutional court.
In April, the constitutional court declined to overturn the AHA, which imposes severe penalties including life imprisonment and even death for certain same-sex acts.
The activists, who had originally sought to have the law voided, argued that it violates fundamental rights and is unconstitutional. Despite their efforts, the lower court upheld most of the AHA, striking down only a few sections deemed inconsistent with rights to health, privacy, and freedom of religion.
According to rights pressure groups, the implementation of the AHA has led to a sharp increase in human rights violations against sexual minorities in Uganda. Over the past nine months, more than 1,000 cases have been documented, including arrests, torture, and forced evictions from homes, Reuters reports.
Under the provisions of the AHA, consensual same-sex intercourse can lead to life imprisonment, while "aggravated homosexuality" can result in the death penalty.

What they said

Nicholas Opiyo, one of the petitioners' lawyers said on the X platform: "We will wait for the Supreme Court's directions and are optimistic for an expedited hearing of the case." The United Nations Human Rights office said in May, "We are appalled that the draconian and discriminatory anti-gay bill is now law. It is a recipe for systematic violations of the rights of LGBT people & the wider population. It conflicts with the Constitution and international treaties and requires urgent judicial review." "The enactment of Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act is a tragic violation of universal human rights. I join with people around the world - including many in Uganda - in calling for its immediate repeal. We are considering additional steps, including the application of sanctions and restriction of entry into the United States against anyone involved in serious human rights abuses or corruption," said US President Joe Biden.

Etornam Kornu