MP behind globally-condemned legislation said he will 'concede' if
committee recommends that death sentence be removed
Associated Press in Kampala
Wednesday April 27 2011
The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/26/uganda-anti-gay-bill-death-penalty
The MP behind anti-gay legislation that has been condemned worldwide
said yesterday the death penalty is likely to be dropped from the
bill.
David Bahati said if the committee studying the bill recommends the
death penalty be removed, "I would concede."
Proposed 18 months ago, the bill attracted international condemnation,
including from President Barack Obama.
Under the legislation, anyone convicted of a homosexual act would face
life imprisonment.
The original bill would have mandated a death sentence for active
homosexuals living with HIV or in cases of same-sex rape.
Stephen Tashobya, the chairman of the legal and parliamentary affairs
committee, said the legislation may come up for a vote before
parliament's session ends 12 May.
"We shall try and see how far we can go with the bill. It may be
possible. We are doing all we can. We have limited time," he said on
Tuesday, before adding: "Many people have expressed concern about that
provision providing for the death sentence and I'm sure when we start
hearings on that bill we will hear many more concerns."
Bahati said he thinks the bill would become law if voted on by
legislators.
"I can guarantee you I have not seen any member of parliament who is
opposed to it," he said.
Frank Mugisha, the director of Sexual Minorities Uganda, a gay rights
group, said anti-gay sentiment in Uganda had increased since the
bill's introduction. More gays are being harassed, he said, because of
media attention and because church leaders have been preaching for the
bill's passage to congregations.
Bahati's original bill carried harsh provisions. The original bill
would mandate a death sentence for active homosexuals living with HIV
or in cases of same-sex rape. "Serial offenders" also could face
capital punishment, but the legislation did not define the term.
Anyone convicted of a homosexual act would face life imprisonment.
Anyone who "aids, abets, counsels or procures another to engage of
acts of homosexuality" would face seven years in prison. Landlords who
rent rooms or homes to homosexuals also could get seven years.
"If the bill passes we cannot even be allowed to do our work," Mugisha
said.
Last year a tabloid newspaper published the names and photos of men it
alleged were gay. One cover included the words: "Hang them."
Shortly afterward, in January, a prominent gay rights activist whose
picture was published was killed, though authorities contend David
Kato's sexual orientation had nothing to do with the killing.
Bahati called Kato's death regrettable.
"My reaction is that I extend condolences to the family, parents of
Kato. It's regrettable that they could find themselves in this
situation, and also regrettable that he could be allowed to be used to
recruit our children.
"But the death of Kato had nothing to do with the bill in parliament,"
he said.
Bahati, 36, is serving his first term. He said that the bill has
helped raise public awareness about what he calls "the dangers to our
children". Many Ugandan leaders who support the bill say that gay
Ugandans recruit school children to become homosexual.
guardian.co.uk Copyright (c) Guardian News and Media Limited. 2011
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