FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, February 24, 2014
CONTACT: Ian Koski at 202-224-5042

Senator Coons condemns enactment of Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, issued the following statement Monday following Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s enactment of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill. Among other things, the legislation makes homosexual acts punishable with life imprisonment, and requires Ugandan citizens to report people they know to be gay or to face criminal consequences.

“The rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons are universal human rights and deserve to be respected around the world,” Senator Coons said. “The shameful Anti-Homosexuality Bill that President Museveni signed into law today goes far beyond discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and makes homosexual conduct punishable with life in prison. It promotes a climate of oppression and fear, and is an unconscionable violation of fundamental freedoms and universal standards for human rights.

“The enactment of this law is another sad chapter in a disturbing trend against personal freedom in Uganda, including crackdowns on independent media and political dissent. While I recognize and value Uganda’s leadership in promoting stability in the region, the United States must not stand by as democratic values and humanitarian principles are increasingly disregarded by Uganda’s political leadership. Promoting universal human rights, including freedom of speech, association, religion and press, must remain a fundamental component of our work as a nation. 

“As President Obama, Ambassador Rice, and I have repeatedly expressed to President Museveni, signing this bill into law will have implications for our nations’ relationship. Two years ago, President Obama announced that it would be the policy of the United States government to more closely tie our diplomatic and development efforts to human rights. America’s foreign policy can and should be led by its values, including the protection of basic human rights regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. 

“This law is a setback for human rights around the world and will endanger Uganda’s relationship with the United States. There should be consequences for such action, not just in Uganda, but also in Nigeria, Russia, and anywhere else in the world where LGBT rights and other human rights are being legally restricted. America’s rhetoric must now be met with action. For there to be no diplomatic or developmental consequence for the enactment of these laws would be to set a dangerous precedent for America’s foreign policy.”

While in Uganda in May 2012, Senator Coons met with President Museveni to urge him to comply with international standards for human rights. The Senator has spoken out against the legislation repeatedly since being named chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs.