Uganda's constitutional court on Wednesday (April 3) refused to annul or suspend an anti-LGBTQ law that includes the death penalty for certain same-sex acts, but voided some provisions it said are inconsistent with certain fundamental human rights. - REUTERS
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00:00 Uganda's constitutional court on Wednesday upheld one of the harshest anti-LGBTQ laws
00:07 in the world.
00:08 However, it struck down certain provisions it said were inconsistent with fundamental
00:13 human rights.
00:15 Under the Anti-Homosexuality Act, citizens had an obligation to report anyone they suspected
00:21 of engaging in homosexuality.
00:24 The court found that this requirement violated individual rights.
00:28 Petition lawyer Nicholas Opio.
00:30 The court today decided that it is legal and lawful to discriminate against LGBTI people.
00:38 The court today decided that it is legal to exclude the LGBTI community from participating
00:46 in the affairs of their country, simply on the basis of public sentiments and alleged
00:51 cultural values.
00:52 I think it's sad that the court could play to public sentiments and not apply the law.
00:59 To that extent, I think the court is wrong.
01:02 The legislation, adopted in May last year, is among the world's harshest anti-gay laws.
01:08 It imposes penalties of up to life imprisonment for consensual same-sex relations, and it
01:14 contains provisions that make so-called aggravated homosexuality an offence punishable by death.
01:21 Activists say the law has unleashed a torrent of abuse against LGBTQ people, including torture,
01:28 rape, arrest and eviction.
01:31 Activist Eric Ndabula.
01:32 The ruling today was disappointing, that is for sure.
01:39 But it does not make us lose hope.
01:41 It actually puts us in more energy to ensure that we actually go to the Supreme Court to
01:49 be able to appeal on what has happened today, because what has happened today is an injustice.
01:55 The legislation has been condemned by rights campaigners, and the country has received
02:00 sanctions from Western nations.
02:02 The ruling is part of a growing anti-gay crackdown across Africa.
02:07 Ghana passed stringent anti-gay legislation in February, intensifying restrictions on
02:12 the rights of LGBTQ people.
02:14 They must take steroids.