Emergency Resolution on Uganda

Emergency Resolution on Uganda

The 29th World Congress of Public Services International (PSI), meeting in Durban, South Africa, on 27-30 November 2012NOTING THATPSI upholds the right of all people to equal opportunities irrespective of sex, marital status, ethnic origin, national identity, disability, sexual orientation, age or religion, at the workplace, in the trade unions and in the broader political, social, economic and cultural context;PSI is committed to defending the rights of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgendered (LGBT) workers everywhere;PSI is profoundly disturbed by the nature, content and potential impact of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill (“the Bill”) that was recently tabled in and is currently being considered by the Parliament of Uganda;PSI believes that the Bill, if enacted, will cut deeply into the fabric of Ugandan society by:           - Violating the rights of an already vulnerable and severely stigmatised group of people by attacking their dignity, privacy and other constitutionally protected rights;           - Disrupting family and community life by compelling everyone, by the threat of criminal sanction, to report those suspected of engaging in same-sex sexual activity;           - Seeking to withdraw Uganda from the family of nations by reneging on the country’s international law obligations;           - Undermining public health interventions such as HIV prevention, treatment, care and support;           - Promoting prejudice and hate and encouraging harmful and violent action to be taken against those engaging in same sex relations.FURTHER NOTING THAT civil society and relevant stakeholders have not been involved in the preparation of this bill and it is in clear violation of Uganda’s Constitution.THEREFORE calls for the Ugandan government to withdraw this law from Parliament immediately. INSTRUCTS PSI to:Call on the trade union movement worldwide to condemn discrimination against LGBT workers;Call on trade unions worldwide to make representations to their governments requesting them to pressure the government of Uganda to withdraw this law;Provide support to Ugandan PSI affiliates unions to campaign for equal rights for LBGT workers and meaningful social dialogue.See all Congress resolutions including the Program of Action and the Constitution.

Comms

The 29th World Congress of Public Services International (PSI), meeting in Durban, South Africa, on 27-30 November 2012

NOTING THAT

  • PSI upholds the right of all people to equal opportunities irrespective of sex, marital status, ethnic origin, national identity, disability, sexual orientation, age or religion, at the workplace, in the trade unions and in the broader political, social, economic and cultural context;
  • PSI is committed to defending the rights of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgendered (LGBT) workers everywhere;
  • PSI is profoundly disturbed by the nature, content and potential impact of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill (“the Bill”) that was recently tabled in and is currently being considered by the Parliament of Uganda;
  • PSI believes that the Bill, if enacted, will cut deeply into the fabric of Ugandan society by:

           - Violating the rights of an already vulnerable and severely stigmatised group of people by attacking their dignity, privacy and other constitutionally protected rights;

           - Disrupting family and community life by compelling everyone, by the threat of criminal sanction, to report those suspected of engaging in same-sex sexual activity;

           - Seeking to withdraw Uganda from the family of nations by reneging on the country’s international law obligations;

           - Undermining public health interventions such as HIV prevention, treatment, care and support;

           - Promoting prejudice and hate and encouraging harmful and violent action to be taken against those engaging in same sex relations.

FURTHER NOTING THAT civil society and relevant stakeholders have not been involved in the preparation of this bill and it is in clear violation of Uganda’s Constitution.

THEREFORE calls for the Ugandan government to withdraw this law from Parliament immediately.

INSTRUCTS PSI to:

  • Call on the trade union movement worldwide to condemn discrimination against LGBT workers;
  • Call on trade unions worldwide to make representations to their governments requesting them to pressure the government of Uganda to withdraw this law;
  • Provide support to Ugandan PSI affiliates unions to campaign for equal rights for LBGT workers and meaningful social dialogue.

See all Congress resolutions including the Program of Action and the Constitution.

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