WAS Open Letter to the President of Uganda: There can be No Scientific Justification for Discrimination
- WAS Digital
- Feb 26, 2016
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 24
OPEN LETTER
[London, United Kingdom] – The World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) strongly condemns Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act, a law that criminalises consensual same-sex relationships and imposes harsh penalties rooted in stigma and misinformation. Enacted in 2014 and reaffirmed in recent discourse, the legislation violates scientific consensus and disregards the human rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ individuals.
In a direct appeal to President Yoweri Museveni and members of the Ugandan Parliament, WAS reiterated that there is no scientific justification for discrimination based on sexual orientation. The Act stands in clear opposition to Uganda’s own constitutional principles and international human rights obligations. WAS urges Ugandan leaders to repeal this law and protect the rights of all citizens to security, privacy, and freedom of sexual expression.
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26 February 2016
To the President Yoweri Museveni and the Members of the Ugandan Parliament:
World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) condemns the Anti-Homosexuality Act passed by the Ugandan parliament and signed into law by President Yoweri Museveni on February 24th, 2014. There is no scientific evidence to support the rationale upon which the President’s decision was based.
There is strong evidence that homosexuality is no more a choice than heterosexuality.
As clearly articulated in our statement issued in December 2012, we strongly protest any laws prohibiting homosexual acts as they are unquestionably discriminatory in nature and deny a large group of people their basic human rights. All people are entitled to security of person and freedom of sexual expression. The Constitution of the Republic of Uganda (1995) also promotes tolerance and guarantees human rights to all citizens.
WAS urges you to take immediate action to dismiss this bill in order to protect important freedoms and demonstrate to your citizens a commitment to tolerance and human rights.
Kevan Wylie
President World Association for Sexual Health
Yuko Higashi
Co-Chair, Sexual Rights Committee World Association for Sexual Health
Tommi Paalanen
Co-Chair, Sexual Rights Committee World Association for Sexual Health
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About WAS
WAS promotes sexual health throughout the lifespan and through the world by developing, promoting and supporting sexology and sexual rights for all. WAS accomplishes this by advocacy actions, networking, facilitating the exchange of information, ideas and experiences and advancing scientifically based sexuality research, sexuality education and clinical sexology, with a multi and transdisciplinary approach. WAS represents over 100 sexological and sexual health organisations around the world.
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