UN Condemns Murder of Gay Activist in Uganda

The United Nations has condemned the brutal murder of David Kato, a prominent gay activist and human rights defender in Uganda. Kato was a leading voice against the country's Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which prohibits homosexual relations and contains provisions for punishing people for their sexual orientation. The UN has called on the Ugandan Government to ensure the security of gay citizens and conduct a thorough investigation into Kato's death. This killing comes amidst a backdrop of increasing violence against the LGBTQ community in Uganda, where homosexuality is still a crime under existing laws.

Key Takeaways:

• The United Nations has condemned the murder of David Kato, a prominent gay activist and human rights defender in Uganda.
• Kato was a leading voice against Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which prohibits homosexual relations and contains provisions for punishing people for their sexual orientation.
• The UN has called on the Ugandan Government to ensure the security of gay citizens and conduct a thorough investigation into Kato's death.
• The UN, including UNAIDS and development partners, has called on the Ugandan Parliament to drop the bill and decriminalize same-sex behavior.
• A year ago, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay warned that the bill would bring Uganda into a "direct collision" with established international human rights standards aimed at preventing discrimination.
• The High Court of Uganda has ruled that the constitution protects the right to dignity and privacy for all Ugandans, regardless of their sexual orientation.
• UNAIDS denounces homophobia and actions that incite violence against individuals and communities, and believes that such laws are discriminatory and create obstacles for people accessing HIV services.

Statistics:

• Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill could lead to a prison sentence of up to three years for anyone who fails to report the identities of gay people they know within 24 hours.
• Estimate of 80 countries where homosexuality is still a criminal offense (as reported by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon).
• Number of days after the High Court of Uganda ruled that the constitution protects the right to dignity and privacy for all Ugandans regardless of their sexual orientation, since the murder of David Kato.

Sources:

• "UN condemns murder of gay activist in Uganda" (Hindustan Times, Jan. 28)
• "Uganda's anti-homosexuality bill' defeated in court" (Al Jazeera, March 2011)
• "UN launches initiative to combat homophobia" (UN News Centre, Dec. 2011)
• "UNAIDS denounces homophobia, urges removal of laws criminalizing homosexuality" (UNAIDS Press Release, Jan. 2012)