March 22 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The European Union has expressed its deep concern on Wednesday about the recent law approved in Uganda that penalizes the identity of LGBT people with punishments that can reach life imprisonment and even the death penalty.
The spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union, Nabila Massrali, has indicated in a statement that “the criminalization of homosexuality is contrary to International Law” and has also recalled one of the clauses of the African Charter, which defends that “everyone has the duty to respect and consider their fellow men without discrimination”.
“The European Union will continue to work with the Ugandan authorities and civil society to ensure that all people, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity, are treated equally, with dignity and respect,” it concluded.
The text penalizes the mere identification as LGTBI, with punishments that can reach life imprisonment and even the death penalty if it is classified as ‘aggravated homosexuality’, in cases where it is considered that there is no consent or coercion. Those who promote same-sex relationships risk up to 20 years in prison.
The law has also been criticized by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, who has indicated that it is worrisome” insofar as it proposes punishing the LGTBI collective “simply for existing” and “for being who they are” .
