"Up to Death Penalty for Same-Sex Relations"... Uganda Passes Strong Anti-Homosexuality Bill

The World's Strictest Anti-LGBTQ Law
US Warns "Economic Sanctions If Enacted"
Amnesty International Criticizes "Horrific Human Rights Violations"

A strong anti-homosexuality bill suppressing sexual minorities has been passed in Uganda. There is fierce backlash as it goes against the global trend of prohibiting discrimination against sexual minorities.

On the 2nd (local time), foreign media including AFP reported that the Ugandan Parliament passed the bill to strengthen punishment for sexual minorities with some amendments. It is known that the bill was approved by all members of parliament except one.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The bill passed this time is considered one of the strictest anti-homosexuality laws in the world.

If a person infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or a minor engages in homosexual intercourse, the death penalty can be imposed, and if homosexuality is 'promoted,' a maximum of 20 years imprisonment can be sentenced. Attempted homosexuality crimes carry a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment.

Provisions that punish individuals simply identified as sexual minorities (LGBTQ) and those that mandate reporting suspected homosexual acts have been removed. Also, people who are presumed or suspected to be homosexual but do not have sexual relations with homosexuals are not subject to punishment.

However, in cases of homosexual acts involving children or socially vulnerable groups, failure to report can result in up to 5 years imprisonment.

The reason this bill is considered one of the strictest anti-homosexuality laws in the world is that most of the enhanced punishment provisions, including the clause imposing the death penalty for certain homosexual acts, remain intact.

The bill will be finalized once it passes through Parliament and receives the signature of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. Currently, President Museveni is under pressure from the international community to exercise his veto power against the bill.

The United States has warned of possible economic sanctions if the bill is enacted, and the human rights organization Amnesty International criticized it as a "horrific human rights violation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.