---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: kathleen lahey <k...@post.queensu.ca>
Date: Wed, Nov 11, 2009 at 08:32
Subject: draft letter re Ugandan bill
To: ilglawl...@rklambda.at
Hello, everyone. Below is the text of a short draft letter that can be sent
to any ambassador. The norm seems to be something that will fit on one page
plus signature(s) -- but if you want more detail, feel free to add it in or
suggest what it ought to be. And, who should print it out on letterhead and
get some signatures on it? Or should each person use it individually with
their own government officials and the sitting ambassador in their country?
Is there a UN human rights defender assigned to Uganda already? Other
relevant group/officer?
k
Nov. ___ 2009
His Excellency Ambassador _____
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Uganda to ___
Re: Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill
Your Excellency,
The International Lesbian and Gay Law Association was formed in 1999 by
judges, lawyers, and law professors from all continents, and is concerned
with monitoring progress toward the full recognition and protection of the
human rights and dignity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered
people.
It has come to our attention that the Republic of Uganda's
Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which exposes lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
transgendered people in Uganda to severe forms of criminal punishment,
including the death penalty, has not yet been withdrawn despite growing
international condemnation of this legislation.
ILGLaw strongly urges your Excellency to do all you can to see that this
bill is withdrawn as soon as possible. This bill will extend the death
penalty to those caught within its terms, will destroy ordinary peoples'
sense of security in their homes, families, and communities, and will incite
increased violence against sexual minorities in Uganda and abroad.
We would like to remind you that the Republic of Uganda is obliged to
respect human rights of everyone in Uganda without discrimination of any
kind. The Republic of Uganda has voluntarily agreed to the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and to the Revised Cotonou Agreement
of 2005, both of which, like the Constitution of Uganda, secure basic human
rights and protection from discrimination and from state violence to all.
We thus urge your Excellency to do all you can to see that this bill
is withdrawn on an expedited basis. Please contact the relevant
Government ministers on our behalf to convey to them our most urgent
concerns.
We hope to hear from you at your earliest convenience.
Very truly yours,
