As a global nonprofit organization that emphasizes global citizenship and respecting all individuals' rights, we felt we had to do whatever we could to make our commitment to fundamental human equality clear. Amizade re-routed our Tanzania semester faculty and students to arrive in Northwest Tanzania via Kigali, Rwanda rather than via Kampala, Uganda. We did this because it is safer for all of our students and because we will avoid providing visa fees, airport taxes, and other incidental monies to a government that threatens to persecute a community.
Previous incidents of systematic violation of human rights make abundantly clear:
- Stand up early.
- Stand up often.
- Remain standing.
Other nonprofit organizations, universities, and travel companies proceed through or work in Uganda. Frequently safari companies move through Kampala, as well as rafting companies interested in the upper portion of the Nile. If you're interested in expressing your support for human rights and ensuring your funds don't go to persecute the homosexual community in Uganda, it's time to take your business elsewhere. Spread the word.
And of course, just as soon as the Members of Parliament who are advancing this horrible bill take it off the table, we'll be happy to work in Uganda again. Most Ugandans are kind and welcoming. And based on the Ugandans I've met, I'd bet most are - like so many people in so many countries around the world - outraged and upset by the hate-mongering some of their representatives are advancing right now.
Let's stand against hate and for EVERYONE's fundamental human rights, together, now.
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Question: Has the entire Uganda parliament or some party or members taken up this measure? Your last sentence makes it appear it is the later. If a wacko representative or two here propose an odious bill eg. punishment for abortions, should a Holland civil rights group boycott travel to the U.S? (seems over the top to me) I understand solidarity and expressing disapproval but punishing the country as a whole?
ReplyDeleteQuestion: Is this measure based on a religious teaching that should be reflected in civil law?
If a bill was passed in the U.S. that threatened the safety of a Holland civil rights group traveling in the U.S. (to use your example) then it would seem reasonable to boycott the U.S. and bring attention to the true threat to civil/human rights in the country. To answer your question, the only religious references in the media that I have heard to support this new civil law are Christian and, no, there isn't anything in the bible that says that homosexuals should be murdered. In fact, most biblical arguments against homosexuality are unfounded when read from a historical and anthropoligical perspective. Homosexuality didn't become an issue in Christianity, historically, until Christianity left Africa and became Roman/European.
ReplyDeletethere is an important distinction between being proposed and being passed. Is this proposal sponsored by the majority ruling party or is it only a proposal by a small constituency? Eric's article is tendentious. Perhaps he should have said in the first sentence... some members of the "Ugandan Parliament" .Some members of every parliament propose mean stupid, evil things. It is one thing to propose and another to have widespread endorsement by the majority parties. I would have liked to have had clearer information to form an opinion. '''and I am not a disinterested party. I am flying into Kampala in two weeks for Amizade and wasn't even informed personally of this organization's stance.
ReplyDeleteYour points/considerations are good, Lee. Hope you find the best route for you on your upcoming adventure. I appreciate the human rights support that Amizade demonstrates in this stance against unjust measures/ideas and I know from my own experience with Amizade that they are open to supporting the ideas of many to find the best possible solution for everyone and every community.
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ReplyDeleteEveryone: Some background information on the religious groups (U.S. based) behind the "Kill the Gays" bill being considered by the Ugandan Parliament.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.talk2action.org/story/2010/1/21/15336/6128
Previous comment deleted because of a typo.