Uganda’s Minister for Ethics and Integrity, Simon Lokodo, indicating that the Ugandan Government intends to introduce the death penalty for same-sex sexual acts in a so-called “kill the gays” bill.
Amnesty International have called the reintroduction “outrageous” and have called the government to reject the legislation.
Joan Nyanyuki, Amnesty International’s East Africa Director, said, “It is outrageous that instead of the Ugandan Government taking urgent steps to decriminalise gay sex, they want gay people executed.
“This is going to fire up more hatred in an already homophobic environment.
“This is an example of how Uganda’s politicians are stoking dangerous intolerance and bias against LGBTI people.
“Uganda’s MPs must resoundingly reject any plan to legalise this kind of bigotry and witch-hunting of anyone who is perceived as being different.”
Spate of recent killings
Last weekend (5 October), Brian Wassa, a gay paralegal, died from head injuries sustained in an attack by unknown assailants the previous day at his home in Kampala.
According to the LGBTI organisation Sexual Minorities Uganda, Wassa is the fourth LGBT+ person killed in the country in the past three months, killings which come in in the wake of a surge in anti-LGBT+ sentiments from political leaders.
Wassa’s death followed the killing of a trans woman from the Gomba district, a gay man in Kayunga district and another in the city of Jinja.
The Government of Uganda has a track record of promoting anti-LGBTI policies, which Amnesty has repeatedly criticised.
Death Penalty
There are many countries and states where homosexual acts could
Afghanistan
Men could face execution but are more likely to receive long prison sentences. No executions are known to have been handed out since the end of the Taliban rule.
Brunei*
Gay men in Brunei could be stoned or given 10 years in prison if found guilty of homosexual acts.
Iran
In Iran gay men can be lashed up to 74 times for “immature men” and the death penalty for mature men of sound mind – and where the acts were consenting. Women can be lashed 50 times and can face the death penalty after their fourth conviction.
Mauritania
Homosexuality is against the law in Mauritania and could attract the death penalty however there have been no public executions since 1987.
Qatar
In Qatar, gay men may face execution if they are Muslim otherwise men can face fines and a prison sentence which lasts 7 years.
Saudi Arabia
A second conviction of homosexuality in Saudi Arabia will land a death penalty. For first offence, men can face fines, castration, flogging, prison and torture.
Sudan
Homosexuality has been illegal in Sudan since 1899. Death penalty occurs on the third offence for men and four offence for women. Advertisements 28 Year Old Student from London Became Rich After Watching This Video Newbitcoinrevolution Sponsored by Revcontent
Yemen
Married men can expect to be stoned to death if caught having same-sex relations. Unmarried men will receive 100 lashes or one-year imprisonment.
Libya
Gay men could face death in Libya.
Nigeria
Homosexuality is illegal in some states of Nigeria and could attract the death penalty. These states include: Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara
Somalia
Homosexuality is illegal in Somalia and could attract a death penalty.
Syria
The actual penalty that gay men should face for homosexual acts is a prison for up to 3 years, however, due to the rise in ISIS a highly advertised death awaits those found guilty of engaging in same-sex sexual acts.
Iraq
Despite homosexuality not being illegal in Iraq, there have been reported executions of gay men in ISIS controlled areas.
* Brunei is a Sovereign state and not a country.
There are some countries where although capital punishment might not be constitutionally ratified there are cases where gay people have been killed because of their sexuality.
