Memorandum to the Government of Uganda |
Tuesday, 08 July 2008 | |
We condemn the abuse of human rights against LGBTI and HIV activists We write to you as a group of Human Rights organizations, People living with HIV and AIDS organizations and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual and Intersex (LGBTI) organizations. We would like to express our condemnation at reports that the Ugandan government will not focus any HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment programmes on sexual minority groups. We implore on the Ugandan to reverse this travesty of justice. Of Uganda’s 27 million population, activists estimate 500 000 are part of the homosexual community and more than one million Ugandans are HIV positive. Research in various countries has proven that sexual minorities are particularly vulnerable to HIV and more so in developing countries. Violations of access to adequate health care, right to privacy and respect for one’s dignity create an environment of fear and insecurity and exacerbates HIV vulnerability. Sexual activity in such an environment is likely to be unsafe. In the past, Uganda has won praise for its vigorous campaigns that reduced HIV prevalence from 30% in the 1990’s to single-digit figures. Uganda risks reversing the gains by deliberately excluding men who have sex with men from the national HIV treatment and prevention programme. We further note that the Ugandan government is a signatory to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights. We therefore urge the Ugandan government to comply with Article 19 of the Charter which states that, “ All peoples shall be equal; they shall enjoy the same respect and shall have the same rights. Nothing shall justify the domination of a people by another.” We further call on the government of Ugandan to ensure the elimination of all forms of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and to facilitate the implementation of a comprehensive prevention programme that is aimed at all the people of Uganda including sexual minorities. Endorsed by AIDS Law Project AIDS and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa Behind the Mask Coalition of African Lesbians(CAL) Gender DynamiX Durban Lesbian and Gay Center The Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya(GALCK) Horizon Community Association of Rwanda(LGBT Rwanda) International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission Lesbian and Gay Equality Project Lesbian, Gays and Bi sexuals of Botswana (LEGABIBO) Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) Treatment Action Campaign Triangle Project |