House passes motion defending GLBTT human rights in Uganda

OTTAWA – A motion was passed unanimously today in the House of Commons that calls on the Government of Canada to continue speaking out against the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill. The motion was introduced by New Democrat MP Bill Siksay, Critic for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Transsexual issues.

The Anti-Homosexuality Bill that is currently being debated in the Parliament of Uganda would imprison anyone who fails to report the identity of someone they know to be gay or lesbian. The bill also imposes life imprisonment, and in some cases, the death penalty, on anyone who “commits the offence of homosexuality.”

“I very much appreciate the co-operation of the Conservative Party, the Bloc Québecois, and the Liberal Party. All parties in the House worked together to take a stand against this regressive bill and in solidarity with the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and transsexual community in Uganda,” said Siksay. “Given this strong all party commitment to GLBTT rights, I hope that the government will continue to pursue this issue at all possible levels.”

“This bill is an attack on human rights and civil liberties. Canada must continue to do all it can to see that it is withdrawn,” concluded Siksay.

The text of Siksay’s motion follows.