Posted on 12/19/2009 11:18:32 AM PST by TaxPayer2000
State Department official talks with US gay and lesbian groups concerned with the legislation in Kampala
The U.S. State Department's top Africa diplomat says approval by Uganda's parliament of a bill criminalizing homosexual activity would harm that country's world image and undercut the fight against HIV/AIDS. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson discussed the issue Friday with leaders of U.S. gay and lesbian groups concerned about the legislation pending in Kampala.
The Obama administration is stepping up its public efforts against what it describes as draconian legislation pending in the Ugandan parliament that would criminalize homosexual acts and make them, in some instances, punishable by death.
Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson spoke to reporters after a meeting with about 25 leaders of U.S. gay and lesbian groups concerned about the legislation being considered by Ugandan legislators since October, and which has heavy support from conservative Muslim and Christian lawmakers there.
Carson said he has spoken directly with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni twice about the pending bill, most recently early this month when the Ugandan leader transited the United States after attending the Commonwealth Summit in Trinidad and Tobago.
The Assistant Secretary said he told Mr. Museveni, who has been prominent among African leaders in the battle against HIV/AIDS, that such legislation would undercut progress against that epidemic and undermine Uganda's global image. "We believe that this legislation is a violation of human rights, that it will undermine the fight against HIV/AIDS in Uganda, that it will stigmatize a community, and that ultimately it will harm and damage Uganda's human rights image and record. We believe this legislation is inappropriate, should be withdrawn and is not the kind of legislation that we wish to see in Uganda and for that matter any other place," he said.
Carson said President Museveni, in contacts with U.S. officials, has distanced himself and his party from the legislation, and said he is concerned about its contents and implications.
He noted that Mr. Museveni is empowered to veto legislation from parliament and said the United States is urging him to let his principles guide him and do everything he can to see it that it does not become law.
Carson also said the United States has not threatened Uganda with aid cuts or other punitive steps despite its concern about the issue. "We're not making any threats at this point. We think that it is in Uganda's interest to do the right thing on this legislation. President Museveni and his foreign minister know our concerns about it. We hope that they will exercise leadership in insuring that this legislation is not passed," he said.
The pending legislation in Uganda would toughen an existing and largely un-enforced law barring sex between people of the same gender. Homosexual sex with minors, or while infected with HIV, would draw the death penalty.
Supporters of the measure in Uganda have dismissed outside criticism as a new form of colonialism.
Raising its profile on the issue, the White House issued a statement opposing the draft law last week and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton criticized it in a Washington speech on administration human rights policy on Monday.
It would hurt Uganda’s what?
“The Assistant Secretary said he told Mr. Museveni, who has been prominent among African leaders in the battle against HIV/AIDS”
We had a Christian missionary at our church, who says the Uganda has had huge outpourings of prayer and Christian intervention in the past few years, and as a result they have massively cut AIDS in their country. Their leadership has been committed to working with the church in bringing down this scourge.
The results have been astounding. Uganda alone in the area is making progress in the fight against AIDS in Africa, without selling out to the politically correct line of “Do whatever you want, just employ safe methods”.
The US and other “enlightened” nations are gnashing their teeth.
What happened to honoring diversity and the US keeping its nose out of other countries business? Isn’t that why the world hates us? Because we always judge them and tell them what to do?
That’s what I thought. It was hard to read with a straight face.
Why, just the other night Mrs. FD and I were thinking vacation plans when we said "Uganada! Of course!"
Which is exactly why these outside nations want to interfere in any way possible. Uganda is the only country on the African continent having any success against the spread of AIDS and they don’t like it.
“The Obama administration is stepping up its public efforts against what it describes as draconian legislation pending in the Ugandan parliament that would criminalize homosexual acts and make them, in some instances, punishable by death.”
I’m not in the least pro the gay movement but that proposed law is appalling. I’d rather they not get special privileges, not have their lifestyle paraded in front of us and at school, and stay in the closet not be locked up or killed.
“My name is ‘Idi Amin Dada’, that’s two A’s, two D’s, and one gun.”
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