The US may consider visa restrictions for some Ugandan officials after they decided to pass the world’s toughest anti-LGBTQI+ law. Uganda’s president, Yoweri Museveni signed the bill and assented it into law. Antony Blinken mentioned that they are ‘deeply troubled’ by the possibility that such a bill can be passed.
“The US may consider deploying existing visa restriction tools against Ugandan Officials and other individuals for the abuse of universal human rights; rights of LGBTQI+ persons,” said Antony Blinken, the Secretary of State.
Joe Biden, the President of the United States of America condemned the law and termed it as a violation of universal human rights. He proposed to cut aid and investment to Uganda until they repeal the measure.
Provisions in the law
In this law, some of the drastic measures taken include capital punishment for people in same-sex relations and termed as, ‘aggravated homosexuals’. Aside from that, there is a sentence of 20 years in prison for the crime of promoting homosexuality. There are controversial provisions that offer extreme punishments for ‘offenders’. During the amendment process, the president urged the people to remove the term ‘aggravated homosexuality’ as it was harsh to the people.
Rights groups within the country have announced filing a challenge with Uganda on the passed bill. They have filed a challenge to the High Court terming the legislation as ‘blatantly unconstitutional’. They use the precedence of 2014 when a similar law was nullified even after a veteran Ugandan leader had assented to it.
The Parliament adjusted the bill on May 2 2023 after the initial bill on March 21 2023 had called for condemnation internationally for targeting the LGBTQI+ people. On April 20, the president offered a proposal not to punish same-sex actors and promoters among minors regardless of it being a socially conservative East African nation.
Precedence of visa restrictions
In 2014, when a less restrictive anti-LGBTQ law was passed, it called for a similar reaction from international countries. They had to strike it down on domestic grounds on procedural grounds after the Western governments halted some aid and imposed visa restrictions on the country. This worked because Uganda received billions of dollars from foreign aid which is essential for sustaining the country. When the sanctions were imposed, they could not survive and so had to strike the law.
The European Union, United Kingdom, UNAIDS, Global Fund, Human Rights groups and LGBTQ organizations are in support of the decision made. Uganda was at the forefront of the fight to end AIDS alongside UNAIDS and resolved to offer access to healthcare for all without discrimination. This law being passed puts that response in jeopardy.
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