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Monday, April 11, 2011

Homo / Politics US About to Deport Gay Man to Uganda—Where He Is Likely To Be Killed

Posted by Dan Savage on Mon, Apr 11, 2011 at 10:59 AM

Last month the Obama administration went on the record with this:

The Obama administration Tuesday called on the U.N. Human Rights Council to fight discrimination against gays and lesbians around the world. "Human rights are the inalienable right of every person, no matter who they are or who they love," Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe, U.S. ambassador to the council in Geneva, said in a statement. "The U.S. government is firmly committed to supporting the right of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals to lead productive and dignified lives, free from fear and violence."

This month the Obama administration is preparing to deport an openly gay man to Uganda. Joseph Bokombe is a musician who has been living in the US on an expired cultural exchange visa for five years. Bokombe is unlikely to lead a productive, dignified life, free from fear and violence, if he is sent back to Uganda. He's unlikely live at all:

In 2009, fueled by religious forces, the Ugandan government began considering a law that would impose the death penalty for certain homosexual acts. Though the government recently backed off the bill, in Uganda, homosexuality remains illegal and despised. In January, a tabloid printed the words, "Hang them" next to the picture of a gay activist. Soon after, he was murdered. Akwanya, a Ugandan native, said he believes Bokombe would face a similar fate. "Actually I don't think even past the airport. They just get him and then put him in detention. In detention, he can get poisoned or [they will] hire some people in jail to kill him," said Akwanya.

There's an online petition asking the government to halt deportations proceedings against Bokombe. Right now it has way too few signatures—just 300—but word is only just beginning to spread. The petition is here. Go and sign it.

 

Comments (2) RSS

Oldest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a comment
1
I have only read the headline, but yeah, wise cjhoice.
Posted by Leaky on April 11, 2011 at 7:35 PM · Report
2
**choice.
Posted by Leaky on April 11, 2011 at 7:36 PM · Report

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