Gay Kosmopol

Un communiqué de presse du Centre LGBT de Paris

Paris, le 30 novembre 2009
 
La loi que se propose d’adopter le gouvernement Ougandais aboutirait à l’emprisonnement à vie, voire à l’exécution des homosexuels et des lesbiennes.
 
La loi anti-homosexualité de 2009 est en passe d’être adoptée  par le Gouvernement Ougandais ; selon la clause 2, une personne accusée d’homosexualité est passible d’emprisonnement à vie, mais si elle est également VIH séropositive, il s’agit alors d’homosexualité aggravée et la sentence encourue est la peine de mort.
 
La loi envisage également une sanction de trois années d’emprisonnement pour quiconque ne rapporterait pas à la connaissance de la police dans les vingt quatre heures, l’homosexualité d’une personne et une sanction de sept années d’emprisonnement pour toute personne impliquée dans la défense des droits des gays et des lesbiennes.
 
Gordon Brown et Stephen Harper, le premier Ministre Canadien ont réagi en marge du sommet du  Commonwealth, en affirmant que cette législation était inacceptable.
 
Nous sommes loin en effet de l’application des principes de Yogyakarta que nous réclamons vigoureusement depuis quelques années, il s’agit dans ce cas, de sauver la vie de nombreux gays et lesbiennes ougandais, séropositifs ou non.
 
Une mobilisation des ONG et des états s’impose de toute urgence,  nous en appelons au Quai d’Orsay et au gouvernement Français pour qu’il intervienne afin que le gouvernement Ougandais retire cette loi qui fait grossièrement fi des Droits Humains fondamentaux.
 
Christine Le Doaré
Présidente Centre LGBT Paris IdF
 
Tél : 06.89.33.78.07 
 
 
 
Centre Lesbien, Gai, Bi & Trans. de Paris et Ile-de-France • 63 rue Beaubourg 75003 Paris •
Accueil : 01 43 57 21 47 • Administration : 01 43 57 75 95 •
Site Internet : http://www.cglparis.org • Mail : contact@cglparis.org•

Voici le communiqué en anglais de l'IGLHRC, avec un exemple de lettre que vous pouvez envoyer pour protester, suivi du résumé qu'en donne le magazine Têtu (voir la fin du post)

In what appears to be an all-out effort to silence the sexual rights movement in Uganda, police have again arrested high profile members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, this time two male-to-female transgender gay men – Georgina (aka) Oundo George and Brenda (aka Kiiza). According to Sexual Minorities of Uganda (SMUG), two men who identified themselves as police officers, but were not in the customary Ugandan Police uniform arrested both men at the home of Georgina on Wednesday September 10, 2008.

Georgina and Brenda were held at Nabweru Police Post for a full week without access to lawyers or to bail. They were never brought before a judge, even though Article 3.9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) states that, “anyone arrested or detained on a criminal charge shall be brought promptly before a judge.” Article 23 of the Ugandan Constitution requires that an arrested person must appear before a judge within 48 hours of arrest.

Brenda and Georgina report being beaten, kicked and hit with batons around the legs and ankles during their detention as interrogators demanded that they provide information about the names and addresses of other LGBT activists. Brenda and Georgina were finally released on September 17, 2008, but have been required to report regularly to the police station. They have been accused of “spreading homosexuality,” though no such crime exists under Ugandan law. “Carnal knowledge against the order of nature” is punishable by up to life imprisonment in Uganda.

Among the rights violated in this most recent incident are:

• The right to liberty and security of person; freedom from arbitrary arrest or detention
  

• The right to freedom from torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment
  

• The right to freedom of expression

ACTION

IGLHRC requests that its members send appeals to Ugandan authorities as quickly as possible:

• Demanding an end to the harassment of Oundo George and Kiiza through the requirement that they report to the police on a regular basis.
  

• Calling on the Ugandan government to immediately end illegal arrests and detention of LGBT individuals and human rights defenders.
  

• Asking for a repeal of Section 145 of the Penal Code Act of 1950, which ostensibly criminalizes homosexual acts.

Please feel free to cut and paste from our letter (below) and send faxes and e-mails to the following officials:

President
Yoweri Museveni
Parliament Building
PO Box 7168
Kampala, Uganda
Fax: + 256 414 346 102
Email: info@gouexecutive.net

Salutation: Your Excellency

Inspector General of Police
Major Kale Kayihura
Police Headquarters
PO Box 7055
Kampala, Uganda
Fax: + 256 414 255 630
Salutation: Dear Major

Minister of Justice
Hon. Makubuya Kiddu
Parliament Building
PO Box 7183
Kampala,
Uganda
Fax: + 256 414 234 453
Email: info@justice.go.ug

Salutation: Dear Minister

COPIES TO:

Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission
Margret Sekagya
P.O .Box 4929, Kampala,
Uganda
Fax: +256 414 255 261
E-mail: uhrc@uhrc.ug
Salutation: Dear Chairperson
COPIES TO: diplomatic representatives of Uganda accredited to your country.

SAMPLE LETTER

Your Excellency President Museveni,

I am writing to you to express my concern about the unwarranted arrest and arbitrary detention of two lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) human rights defenders in Uganda on September 10, 2008. George Oundo and Kizza Brenda were held in detention for eight days without going before a judge. Article 23 of the Constitution of Uganda makes it unconstitutional to hold a suspect for over 48 hours. Furthermore, it is my understanding that these two individuals were arrested and detained solely as a result of their sexual orientation and gender identity

The continuous violation of the basic human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people perpetuated by the Ugandan government is of great concern. I understand that Uganda is party to various regional and international human rights covenants such as the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, both of which condemn arrests based on arbitrary categories such as race, ethnicity, political belief and sexual orientation, among others.

I would ask that your government ceases and desists from harassing and arresting LGBT people simply because of their sexual orientation and gender identity and end the harassment and intimidation of LGBT human rights defenders. I would also urge you to consider the repeal of Section 145 of the Penal Code Act of 1950, which criminalizes homosexual acts. Such laws have been declared a violation of the rights to privacy and equality by the United Nations and have caused great pain to many of your citizens.

Sincerely,

Paula Ettelbrick

Executive Director
International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission

Cc: Major Kale Kayihura, Hon. Makubuya Kiddu, Margret Sekagya

BACKGROUND

In the past five years, there have been nearly a dozen arrests of LGBT people on charges related to homosexuality in Uganda. Authorities have harassed LGBT human rights defenders in their homes and in public and fined a private radio station that broadcast a program on HIV prevention among men who have sex with men. In July 2005, Uganda’s Parliament passed an amendment to the constitution making Uganda only the second country in the world to use its supreme law to outlaw marriage between people of the same sex. In 2007, a coalition of religious leaders marched through the streets of Kampala demanding the arrests of LGBT people with one cleric even calling for the “starving to death” of homosexuals. Buttressed by the official homophobia of the state, the Ugandan media has published lists of gay men and lesbians, leading to physical violence, loss of employment and the curtailing of educational opportunities for those LGBT people who were named.

On June 4, 2008, Usaam Mukwaaya, Pepe Julian Onziema and Valentine Kalende, were arrested and charged with criminal trespass while peacefully attending the HIV/AIDS Implementers Meeting in Kampala. The arrest of the activists was condemned by local and international organizations, including UNAIDS, as well as by the U.S. government. Usaam Mukwaaya was rearrested on July 25, 2008 on his way from Friday prayers and was detained and tortured for several days.

IGLHRC is deeply concerned that this increasingly clear pattern of abuse — arrest, mistreatment in detention, and then release — is a systematic attempt to silence the Ugandan LGBT, feminist and human rights communities through constant harassment. There have also been reliable reports that authorities have a list of LGBT leaders including addresses, photographs and other personal information. Some activists have fled into neighboring countries to escape arrest.

Le résumé des faits par Têtu

Deux transsexuelles ougandaises ont été arrêtées le 10 septembre par des policiers en civils et relâchées huit jours plus tard, annonce l'organisation Sexual Minorities Uganda (Smug). George, devenu Georgina, et Kiiza (Brenda) étaient soupçonnées d'inciter à l'homosexualité, un crime passible de la prison à vie en Ouganda.

Les deux militantes auraient subi des tortures destinées à les forcer à donner des renseignements sur des activistes de la communauté LGBT, dont la police avait une liste. L'existence d'un tel document «a augmenté la tension, la peur et la panique au sein de la communauté LGBT», constate dans un communiqué Smug, qui «condamne fortement ces actes inhumains contre les LGBT d'Ouganda».

L'association appelle la société civile et les organisations de défense des droits humains à faire pression sur le gouvernement pour que les exactions prennent fin. La Commission internationale des droits gays et lesbiens (IGLHRC) demande pour sa part que cesse le «harcèlement» de Georgina et Brenda, qui doivent se rendre régulièrement au poste de police. Elle appelle à envoyer une lettre au président ougandais pour demander la fin du harcèlement et des intimidations envers les personnes sur la base de leur orientation sexuelle.

Voici un communiqué en anglais de l'observatoire des droits de l'homme: il s'agit d'une lettre adressée par l'archevêque Desmond Tutu et 100 autre responsables religieux au Président de l'Ouganda concernant les droits humains des personnes LGBT. Je vous en ai traduit le premier paragraphe, en italique.

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH 

En tant que leaders de diverses communautés religieuses, nous vous demandons de cesser les attaques verbales et juridiques de votre gouvernement contre les droits  humains des personnes lesbiennes, gaies, bisexuelles et transgenres (LGBT). Toutes les traditions religieuses demandent que nous prenions soin de notre prochain et des opprimés, e que nous fassions respecter la dignité de chaque personne. Personne ne devrait vivre dans la crainte d'être simplement ce qu'il est. En tant qu'autorité morale,  nous savons que vous ne souhaitez pas que les citoyens ougandais souffrent sans nécessité, c'est pourquoi no vous demandons de faire cesser la chasse aux sorcières contre les personnes les plus vulnérables dans votre communauté.

Letter from Religious Leaders to the Ugandan Government

President Yoweri Museveni  
President of the Republic of Uganda  
State House Nakasero  
P.O. Box 24594  
Kampala, Uganda  
 
Dear President Museveni,  
 
As leaders of diverse religious communities, we call on you to stop the verbal assaults and legal attacks of your government on the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LBGT) people. All religious traditions demand that we care for the neighbor and the oppressed among us and that we uphold the dignity of every person. No one should have to live in fear simply because of who they are. As a moral leader we know that you do not wish to see Uganda citizens suffer unnecessarily, and we are therefore asking you to call an end to the witch hunt against the most vulnerable in your community. 

We are particularly concerned that members of your government have called for criminal action against people solely because of whom they love and have censored and silenced attempts by LGBT people to speak on their own behalf. These actions only promote fear, profound isolation and invisibility.  
 
Like you, we are committed to building bridges of understanding across divides of difference in which the values of justice, solidarity, compassion, equality and human dignity are values we are called on not only to preach but to live. These are not just our principles but are consistent with Uganda's commitments to human rights. As you know, the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights affirms the equality of all people and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights protects the right to equality, freedom of expression, freedom of conscience, freedom of assembly, and freedom of association. We are only asking that you hold up the solid principles your government espouses.  
 
Open aggression against LGBT people is especially devastating in the context of the HIV pandemic. Discrimination and stigma contribute to misinformation and fear. The pandemic can only be stopped with prevention, treatment, care and support in enabling environments that protect and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout the process.  
 
We reach out to you in fellowship and ask that you publicly condemn all harassment against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in Uganda. Uganda is a rich and diverse country that has the potential to be a model for the rest of the world of compassion and justice.  
 
Sincerely,  
 
Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Archbishop  
Anglican Church of Southern Africa  
 
Rev. Pat Bumgardner, Chair  
Moderator's Global Justice Team  
Metropolitan Community Churches  
 
Rev. Nancy L. Wilson, Moderator  
Metropolitan Community Churches  
 
Rev. Elder Arlene Ackerman  
Father F. Luke Adams, Jr.  
Rev. Kharma Amos; Pastor  
John Paul Andaquig, Secretary  
Father Jerry R. Anderson  
Mia Andersen, Pastor  
Rev. Dr. Peter M. Antoci  
Robert Bayer  
Rev. Mark G. Bidwell, Senior Pastor  
Rev. David Bieniek  
Dr David Bilchitz, Chairperson  
Rev. Lea D. Brown, Pastor  
Mary Peter Bruce, SL  
Michael Callaway, Secretary  
Rev. Dr. Jan Carlsson-Bull, Minister  
Linda S. Comins  
Rev. Jennifer M. Creswell, Pastoral Associate  
Rev. Carlos Cruz  
Rev. Dr Judy Dahl  
Rev. Dee Dale, Senior Pastor  
Christopher DiMaio, M.D.  
Rev. Jennifer L. Paty M.Div, Senior Pastor  
Dr. Ann Drake  
Revd Jon Dean  
Rev. Patricia Drost, Priest-in-Charge  
Rev. Dr. Eileen Dumire  
Rev. Ted E. Durst  
Rev. Terri Echelbarger, Senior Pastor  
Gunhild Ettestoel, Secretary  
Thomas J. Fehr, Seminarian  
Bishop Diane Fisher  
Rev. Karen Foster  
Grace Garner, Legislative Assistant  
Rev. Charles Robert Garrison, Pastor  
Rev Debbie Gaston, Senior Pastor  
Rev. David Gillentine, Associate Pastor  
Rev. Jennifer Glass, Administrative Assistant  
Rev. Elizabeth Goudy, Pastor  
Rev. T. Paul Graetz, Senior Pastor  
Lan Green, Member and Chorister  
Bridget Wilson Hall  
Lee Hall, Alternate Lay Delegate  
Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes, Senior Pastor  
Rev. Fr. Japé Heath, Priest  
Rev. Pat Hendrickson, Deacon  
Rev. Mick Hinson, Pastor  
Rev. Michael W. Hopkins, Rector  
Ralph Intorcio  
Rev. Anne James  
Rev. Johnathan C Jones, Pastor  
David Kato, Secretary  
Rev. Dr. Sherry L. Kennedy  
Debra Kolodny  
Adam Michael Kratt, Bishop  
Rev. Kurt A. Kuhwald  
Joel L. Kushner, Psy.D.  
Rev. Ken Ramon-Landry  
Rev. Dr. Ken Brooker Langston  
Rev. Ron LaRocque, Interim Pastor  
David Lohman  
Rev. Samuel Loudenslager, Deacon  
Rev. Dr. Cindi Love  
Anthony Lucero  
Rev. Regen R. Luna, ULCS, Interim Pastoral Leader & Moderator  
Rev Rowland Jide Macaulay, Pastor  
Rev. Elder Debbie Martin, Pastor  
Rev. Elder Ken Martin  
Rev. Joe McMurray, Pastor  
Rev. Kerri Mesner, Senior Pastor  
Rev. Carolyn J. Mobley, Interim Pastor  
Rev. Robert P. Morrison  
Rev. Lance Mullins, Pastor  
Rev. Jill Nelson, Pastor  
Rev. Gard Realf H. Nielsen  
Rev. June Norris  
Rev. Susan B. P. Norris, Associate  
Rev. Dr. Frodo Okulam  
Rev. Dennis j. Parker, Interim Rector  
Rev. Vicki Pedersen, Pastor  
Rev. David M. Pelletier, Senor Pastor  
Troy D. Perry, Moderator Emeritus, Bishop  
Rev. Troy Plummer  
Rev. Cathy Porter, Pastor  
Rev. Linn Possell, Pastor  
Rev. Carolyn Dusty Pruitt  
Rev Hilde Raastad, Pastor  
Rev. Marge Ragona  
Sylvia Rhue, Ph.D.  
Rev. Canon Timothy T. Rich  
Rev. Jean M. Rowe, Minister Emerita  
Rev. Barbara S. Sagat, Pastor  
John Stockwell Samuels  
Rev. Joan M. Saniuk, Doctoral Researcher  
Barbara Satin, Faith Work Consultant  
Rev. Dr. Rick Schlosser  
Rev. Dr. Candace R. Shultis, Pastor  
Rev. William G. Sinkford  
Rev. Dr. Jane Adams Spahr, Presbyterian Minister  
Rev. Danny A. Spears, Pastor  
Nils Jøran Riedl, University Chaplain  
Rev. Robert E. Stiefel, Ph.D, Coordinator and Advisor  
Donald M Stitt  
Rev. Pressley Sutherland, Senior Pastor  
Rev. Tyrone P. Sweeting, Interim Pastor  
Rev. David B. Tarbet  
Rev. Angie Thinnes, Pastor  
Rev. Peter Trabaris, Senior Pastor  
Rev. Rebecca Voelkel, Faith Work Program Director  
Rev. Durrell Watkins, M.A., M.Div., Canon Precentor & Canon Pastor-elect  
Rev. Canon Daniel Weir, Rector  
Mike Wernick, Postulant for Holy Orders  
Rev. Carol Wise  
Rev. Kermie Wohlenhuas, Ph.D, Interim Minister  
Dawn Wolfe  
Rev. Sue Yarber  
Rev. Dr. C. Denise Yarbrough, Rector  
Rev. Edwin Yates, Pastor  
Rev. Nori Zeliff, Pastor  
Phillip Zimmerman, RSJ  

Related Material

US/Uganda: Bush, Museveni Should Talk Human Rights
Press Release, October 29, 2007

More of Human Rights Watch's work on LGBT Rights
Thematic Page

From: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/02/22/uganda18133.htm

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