Ban of Ugandan LGBTI Groups Violates Fundamental Human Rights

Washington, D.C. – In response to a Ugandan government announcement that it will ban at least 38 nongovernmental agencies that it claims are promoting gay rights, Human Rights First’s Paul LeGendre issued the following statement: “The banning of these nongovernmental groups is a clear example of why the Obama Administration must fulfill its commitment to protect the rights of LGBTI people around the globe and make that work a pillar of its foreign policy. The rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex people are fundamental human rights. The Ugandan government’s announcement and the Parliament’s continued consideration of draconian legislation to criminalize homosexuality violates those rights by discriminating against people based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It is imperative that the United States not stand by as the Ugandan government works to silence human rights defenders.”