Post by iagosan on Oct 19, 2023 16:36:50 GMT
Uganda, the law on gays and pressure from the World Bank
La Nuova Bussola Quotidiana has a very interesting article today about Uganda.
(In a nutshell, more selective cultural imperialism)
Uganda, the law on gays and pressure from the World Bank
The African country votes on a law that tightens penalties for homosexual acts and abuses and the promotion of homosexuality. The World Bank suspends loans: a decision to lobby and double-weightlift.
19-10- 2023
Homosexual relations are prohibited and punished with greater or lesser severity in more than 30 out of 54 African states. Even in countries where their behavior is not prosecuted, there are many Africans who feel discomfort towards LGBT people and manifest it. Unease becomes concern and impatience in reaction to the increased visibility of LGBT communities and their growing demands, particularly the right to marry and adopt children. Responding to the demands of their citizens, several African states are introducing limitations and new sanctions on the activities of homosexuals and their organizations.
In response, the lobbies committed to defending LLGBt increase pressures on the international community, or at least part of it, and in particular on the most assiduous, most necessary donor donor bodies and donors, to commit themselves to obtaining concessions from African governments similar to those conquered elsewhere.
The case that recently created the most uproar is that of the new anti-gay law voted in May 2023 in Uganda, considered one of the strictest in the world. In Uganda, homosexual acts were already banned, but the new rules have tightened sanctions. The death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality” has been introduced in the case of child sexual abuse, disabled people and vulnerable people and in the event that the victim of sexual assault is infected with a permanent illness such as AIDS. In addition, life imprisonment is planned for those who practice same-sex relations, 20 years for the promotion of homosexuality and heavy fines for businesses, including the mass media and non-governmental organizations, which deliberately promote LGBT activities.
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby wrote to Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba, primate of the Ugandan Church, to urge him to protest and then to express “pain and dismay” for the choice of the Ugandan clergy not to do so. Monsignor Kaziomba replied that homosexuality goes against the religious and cultural beliefs of Ugandans, which was imposed in Uganda by “foreign actors who disguise themselves as human rights activists” and said he was grateful for the new law. Among the most important measures taken against the Ugandan government, for the consequences it entails, there is that of the World Bank that on August 8 announced its intention not to grant new loans to the country, on the grounds that the law violates its fundamental values: “No new public financing to Uganda will be presented to our Board of Directors pending a verification of the new measures provided for under the new legislation”.
Ugandan Ambassador to the United Nations, Adonia Ayebare, called the decision “super draconian” and protested that it is time to revise the World Bank’s working methods and the decisions of its Council. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni (pictured) said he did not intend to accept pressure from foreign institutions: “It is a pity that the World Bank and other subjects dare to force us to abandon our faith, our culture, our principles and our sovereignty using money. They belittle all Africans.” “Western countries should stop wasting time on humanity by trying to impose their practices on other peoples, Europeans and other groups marry between cousins and close relatives. Getting married inside your clan is taboo. Should we impose sanctions on them if they marry between relatives? This is not our business.”
In the following months, activists denounced that since the entry into force of the new law, the human rights violations of LGBT people have multiplied. A report released at the end of September by associations linked to the Convening for Equality, an LGBT group, asserts that in the first eight months of 2023 there were more than 300 cases of abuse, violence and torture and a significant increase in mental illness and suicide among homosexuals.
On October 16, the World Bank confirmed the suspension of loans as long as the Ugandan government does not give concrete assurances that LGBT people do not suffer discrimination and that the agency’s staff will not be arrested or sanctioned for having included them in some initiative. Vittoria Kwakwa, head of the Bank for East and Southern Africa, reiterated that the agency’s mission is “helping all Ugandans to escape poverty, access basic services and improve their lives, without exception, including anyone, regardless of race, gender and gender.” Asked about the duration of the measure, she refused to indicate the deadlines to assess the situation and decide whether to resume funding.
The decision of the World Bank has been called unjust and hypocritical. Not without reason the government has accused the bank of adopting a double standard since it continues to provide loans to countries in the Middle East and Asia that on LGBT people have laws similar to the Ugandan or even more severe. President Museveni has proudly stated that if Uganda needs money, he will get it from other sources and that oil production from 2025 will add new revenues to the country: “With or without loans, Uganda’s development will be there.” However, the Ministry of Finance has admitted that the government will need to revise its budget and assess the financial impact of the UN agency’s lack of further loans. In the event, however, not established, that someone remains excluded from humanitarian and development programs, the entire population risks being deprived of it.
The original article in Italian can be found here: lanuovabq.it/it/luganda-la-legge-sui-gay-e-le-pressioni-della-banca-mondiale
or
archive.ph/wip/1TKRy
La Nuova Bussola Quotidiana has a very interesting article today about Uganda.
(In a nutshell, more selective cultural imperialism)
Uganda, the law on gays and pressure from the World Bank
The African country votes on a law that tightens penalties for homosexual acts and abuses and the promotion of homosexuality. The World Bank suspends loans: a decision to lobby and double-weightlift.
19-10- 2023
Homosexual relations are prohibited and punished with greater or lesser severity in more than 30 out of 54 African states. Even in countries where their behavior is not prosecuted, there are many Africans who feel discomfort towards LGBT people and manifest it. Unease becomes concern and impatience in reaction to the increased visibility of LGBT communities and their growing demands, particularly the right to marry and adopt children. Responding to the demands of their citizens, several African states are introducing limitations and new sanctions on the activities of homosexuals and their organizations.
In response, the lobbies committed to defending LLGBt increase pressures on the international community, or at least part of it, and in particular on the most assiduous, most necessary donor donor bodies and donors, to commit themselves to obtaining concessions from African governments similar to those conquered elsewhere.
The case that recently created the most uproar is that of the new anti-gay law voted in May 2023 in Uganda, considered one of the strictest in the world. In Uganda, homosexual acts were already banned, but the new rules have tightened sanctions. The death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality” has been introduced in the case of child sexual abuse, disabled people and vulnerable people and in the event that the victim of sexual assault is infected with a permanent illness such as AIDS. In addition, life imprisonment is planned for those who practice same-sex relations, 20 years for the promotion of homosexuality and heavy fines for businesses, including the mass media and non-governmental organizations, which deliberately promote LGBT activities.
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby wrote to Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba, primate of the Ugandan Church, to urge him to protest and then to express “pain and dismay” for the choice of the Ugandan clergy not to do so. Monsignor Kaziomba replied that homosexuality goes against the religious and cultural beliefs of Ugandans, which was imposed in Uganda by “foreign actors who disguise themselves as human rights activists” and said he was grateful for the new law. Among the most important measures taken against the Ugandan government, for the consequences it entails, there is that of the World Bank that on August 8 announced its intention not to grant new loans to the country, on the grounds that the law violates its fundamental values: “No new public financing to Uganda will be presented to our Board of Directors pending a verification of the new measures provided for under the new legislation”.
Ugandan Ambassador to the United Nations, Adonia Ayebare, called the decision “super draconian” and protested that it is time to revise the World Bank’s working methods and the decisions of its Council. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni (pictured) said he did not intend to accept pressure from foreign institutions: “It is a pity that the World Bank and other subjects dare to force us to abandon our faith, our culture, our principles and our sovereignty using money. They belittle all Africans.” “Western countries should stop wasting time on humanity by trying to impose their practices on other peoples, Europeans and other groups marry between cousins and close relatives. Getting married inside your clan is taboo. Should we impose sanctions on them if they marry between relatives? This is not our business.”
In the following months, activists denounced that since the entry into force of the new law, the human rights violations of LGBT people have multiplied. A report released at the end of September by associations linked to the Convening for Equality, an LGBT group, asserts that in the first eight months of 2023 there were more than 300 cases of abuse, violence and torture and a significant increase in mental illness and suicide among homosexuals.
On October 16, the World Bank confirmed the suspension of loans as long as the Ugandan government does not give concrete assurances that LGBT people do not suffer discrimination and that the agency’s staff will not be arrested or sanctioned for having included them in some initiative. Vittoria Kwakwa, head of the Bank for East and Southern Africa, reiterated that the agency’s mission is “helping all Ugandans to escape poverty, access basic services and improve their lives, without exception, including anyone, regardless of race, gender and gender.” Asked about the duration of the measure, she refused to indicate the deadlines to assess the situation and decide whether to resume funding.
The decision of the World Bank has been called unjust and hypocritical. Not without reason the government has accused the bank of adopting a double standard since it continues to provide loans to countries in the Middle East and Asia that on LGBT people have laws similar to the Ugandan or even more severe. President Museveni has proudly stated that if Uganda needs money, he will get it from other sources and that oil production from 2025 will add new revenues to the country: “With or without loans, Uganda’s development will be there.” However, the Ministry of Finance has admitted that the government will need to revise its budget and assess the financial impact of the UN agency’s lack of further loans. In the event, however, not established, that someone remains excluded from humanitarian and development programs, the entire population risks being deprived of it.
The original article in Italian can be found here: lanuovabq.it/it/luganda-la-legge-sui-gay-e-le-pressioni-della-banca-mondiale
or
archive.ph/wip/1TKRy
