Sarah Achieng Opendi, a member of Parliament in Uganda, was recently denied a visa to attend a United Nations meeting in New York due to her previous remarks advocating for castration of homosexuals during a debate on strict laws against the LGBTQ+ community.
Opendi expressed “shock” after the US embassy in Kampala rejected her application to travel to the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women , pending “administrative” review.
According to Opendi, the chair of the Uganda Women Parliamentary Association, the bill received a 96% vote of approval from MPs. Additionally, she is aware that some MPs who supported the bill have obtained US visas.
A representative of the US State Department stated that they are unable to discuss visa cases pertaining to individuals.
In December, the United States placed limitations on visas for numerous Ugandan politicians and their families due to their participation in a law, authorized by President Yoweri Museveni, that enforces the execution or life imprisonment for specific same-sex behaviors and punishments of up to two decades for the “solicitation, advancement, and financing” of same-sex “actions”.
In the previous year, visas were refused to parliamentary speaker Anita Among by the US and UK. The actions have been embraced by activists in Uganda.
“Nicholas Opiyo, a human rights lawyer, stated that during discussions about the strict anti-homosexuality law in Uganda, several legislators expressed a lack of concern for the opinions of development partners, asserting that they had no need to travel to these partners’ countries. This situation can be likened to a metaphorical scenario in which the consequences of one’s actions eventually catch up to them.”
He expressed that the refusal of a visa is a powerful declaration against those promoting hate. He hopes that it conveys a clear message that such people are not welcome in civilized communities.
Kampala human rights advocate Steven Kabuye stated that politicians are being held responsible.
The speaker stated that it is hypocritical for individuals to express hatred towards homosexuality in their own countries, while simultaneously enjoying the freedoms and acceptance in LGBTQ+ communities. They also expressed satisfaction with the US’s implementation of a visa ban on Ugandan politicians who disregard human rights.
In Africa, 33 of 55 countries have legislation against same-sex relations, much of it dating from colonial regimes.
The nations of Kenya, Namibia, Niger, Tanzania, and Uganda have implemented stricter laws against homosexuality. Just last week, Ghana also approved a bill that penalizes same-sex relationships. Namibia has recently forbidden same-sex marriages, while Kenya is currently in the process of passing a law to ban same-sex unions.
The International Aids Society showed worry on Monday about an increase in anti-LGBT laws that could harm the efforts to combat HIV.
“It is imperative for the governments of these nations to collaborate with, rather than oppose, the communities most susceptible to HIV,” stated IAS President Sharon Lewin.
“We are appealing to the leaders of Ghana, Namibia, and Kenya to oppose these prejudicial bills. At IAS, we implore you to prioritize the well-being of individuals and adhere to scientific evidence: imposing criminalization on any group exacerbates the HIV epidemic by preventing individuals from accessing testing, treatment, and care.”
Non-governmental organizations are anticipating a decision on their appeal to the constitutional court regarding the laws in Uganda.
Source: theguardian.com
