The General Assembly of the United Nations elected Sam Kutesa of Uganda as the president of the General Assembly last week. Kutesa currently serves as the foreign minister of Uganda whose anti-gay laws have caused a backlash against the country in the international community. Â Kutesa achieved the role because he was nominated by the Africa Group of the assembly (whose turn it was to have the presidency). No other candidates were nominated or considered. The UN Charter is meant to protect human rights and dignity, and the United States has stated that it will keep an eye on Kutesa’s presidency to see how it effects policies over the coming years.
Via Advocate.com:
LGBT Ugandans have been subjected to a harsh antigay law that Kutesa vociferously supported and that his boss, President Yoweri Museveni, signed last February. It imposes lifetime jail sentences for many types of same-sex contact, criminalizes the intent to commit homosexual acts or promotion of homosexuality, and prescribes seven-year jail terms for any person who harbors, supports, or affirms a known LGBT person.
Wouldn’t this be the right time for the international community to stand up for gay rights and make a statement about Uganda’s human rights violations?
It would seem to be time for the international community to take on Uganda’s violation of human rights.