Uganda: Has The Bill Been Killed?

"Mainstream media have been wrongly reporting this for more than a year now. Every time they’ve reported it, they have been wrong. Stop doing it, mainstream media."

Jim Burroway, Box Turtle Bulletin.
How the story of the apparent return of Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill unfolded in the British and US media during last week makes for interesting reading.
Burroway points out a large number of anomalies here - which were only to be expected when much reporting was done at some considerable distance from Uganda (Something that Fagburn is as susceptible to and guilty of as anyone, of course - see below).
For example; 'Uganda lawmakers remove death penalty clause from anti-gay bill' [LA Times et al, it couldn't be at that stage), and that 'Uganda's anti-gay bill disappears from parliament's agenda after global outcry against bill' [Reuters et al, prematurely].
It was great that some two million people signed an All Out online petition; "The petition demands that Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni stop the human rights violations by publicly vowing to veto the 'Kill the gays' bill."
Though online "campaigns" always whiff slightly of "Diana Bollocks".
And apparently the president cannot veto a bill that's been voted by parliament.
Few serious commentators will commit to saying anything beyond how the fate of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill is now "uncertain" - it looks like it would have to be resubmitted as a new private member's bill after parliament reconvenes in June.
Paul Canning of LGBT Asylum News has raised an interesting point - that the bill's apparent return and the outcry against it has not been reported by the media in Uganda.
"It remains unclear how (and if) the massive international protests played a role in stalling or stopping the bill this week. It was reported that Ugandan government offices were flooded with messages from around the World, however there has been little to no reporting within Uganda of this. Such reporting would be expected if the bill was playing a 'distraction' role for President Museveni, who is being strongly criticised for repressing protest and his security forces attacks on the opposition, amongst other issues, as many had said it would." [Fagburn among them - Oops!]
As it was barely being discussed in the press in Uganda one wonders if there was an attempt to get it passed this time.
Canning has been shown to be a very reliable source on international LGBT news stories - there's an excellent primer on the AHB Bill by him here.
Writing yesterday Paul Canning concludes;
"The international pressures and the consequences, on aid and trade for example, of passing the bill are extremely serious. This must have been considered by Museveni's office and the government generally this week. Museveni himself has spoken about the pressures in the past. But exactly how that played out this week and whether it played a role in the bill's stalling/death we don't know.
"What I also discussed was the determination of the anti-gay forces. They have a lot invested in anti-gay actions, and that includes a financial investment as being an anti-gay Preacher in Uganda can be very lucrative. Because of that, I seriously doubt that the bill is dead, just halted."

Asylum: There Ain't No Asylum Here

"Ministers have admitted they are failing to collect data on the number of people who claim or are refused asylum on the basis of their sexuality, despite a government promise not to deport lesbians and gay men at risk of persecution.
"The lack of statistics means the government does not know whether gay and lesbian asylum seekers are still being deported to countries where they may face imprisonment, torture or execution. It is also unable to say whether new rules, brought in after a supreme court ruling that marked an end to Britain refusing asylum to gay men and lesbians on the grounds they could hide their sexuality by living discreetly, are being breached..."

The Guardian.
See Comment by Paul Canning at LGBT Asylum News.
"LGBT Asylum News believes that what has been done is one half day's specialised training organised by Stonewall and UNHCR of all UKBA agents and the inclusion of sexuality in equalities training of immigration tribunal judges (which also involves UKLGIG). As well, an updated guidance note was published as a result of the Supreme Court decision..."

Jamaica: Leading Newspaper Comes Out

'EDITORIAL - End Discrimination Towards Gays Now'

The Jamaica Gleaner, the country's leading newspaper, has come out for gay rights - arguing that the right to freedom from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation is added to the Charter of Fundamental Rights, and that the "buggery law" is repealed.

"To be clear, our position is neither an endorsement nor rejection of homosexuality. Frankly, we do not care. How consenting adults choose to live their lives is none of our business. There are, however, a couple of things that concern us and which we believe should be the concern of all Jamaicans.
"First, while we note and commend the advances in individuals' rights contained in the charter, we are aware that the possibility of discrimination against any group is a toehold for the erosion of the rights of others, notwithstanding the cover of constitutional protection.
"Moreover, the fear of stigma, discrimination and violence pushes many people into the closet. Their talents are often underutilised, to the detriment of the society and economy. There is evidence, too, of the health problems faced by gays, many of whom prefer to live without treatment for their illnesses, including HIV/AIDS, for fear of discrimination. The public-health risks are obvious..."

Story via LGBT Asylum News - Paul Canning's report gives some interesting commentary and background.

Africa: "Hard-won Gains Are Being Made"

"If all you ever read about gay people in Africa is in the western media (including gay media), you would be forgiven for thinking it's one endless horror story. This year, we've had the anti-gay riot in the Kenyan town of Mtwapa, the arrest and subsequent pardoning of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga in Malawi and, of course, the "gay executions" bill in Uganda.
Largely unnoticed amid all that has been the quickening development of gay communities and movements in many parts of Africa..."

Paul Canning, editor of LGBT Asylum News, writes for The Guardian's CiF; 'Gay Rights in Africa: now for the good news - Although times are still hard for gays and lesbians in many African countries, hard-won gains are being made'

Iran: Tory MP Betrays Iranian Youth

Ebrahim Hamidi is the 18 year old Iranian who faces the death sentence for an alleged sexual assault against a man.
His case is under review as his alleged victim has apparently withdrawn the charge.
On September 7th, Hamidi's lawyer requested that no public action be taken as this could aggravate his case [via LGBT ASylum News].
It's quite simple - intervention by people in the West, particularly from government and state officials, will most likely make reactionaries in Iran more hostile to Hamidi.
According to Arcigay and IRQO [Iranian Queer Association], the human rights lawyer Mohammad Mostafaei lawyer and others working for Hamidi's release have stated that the case will be filed soon and "every international echo, especially if connected to movement LGBT, could harden the authorities and return to aggravate the situation." [Translated from the Italian].
Any political campaigner must remember the first line of the Hippocratic oath: First, do no harm.
So well done to newly-elected Conservative MP Mark Menzies who has tabled a question about Ebrahim Hamidi for William Hague to answer during Foreign Office Questions in the Commons today.
Question 11: "To ask the Foreign Secretary what reports he has received on the case of Ebrahim Hamidi, sentenced to death on charges of homosexuality in Iran."
Oh well, it'll make Mr Menzies look nice when the local press and gay press dutifully reprint his press release about it - and that's the main thing, eh?

Asylum: "Fake Concern From Shameless Labour"

Where would the LGBT community be without The Pink Paper, eh?
We'd be a lot better informed for one thing.
'LGBT Labour: UK government ignorant of queer human rights abuses abroad' read a headline yesterday.
"LGBT Labour has blasted the British government for considering downgrading the Annual Human Rights Report because of budget constraints, because they believe it will leave human rights abuses of LGBT people abroad overlooked."
That's terrible, isn't it?
The Pink Paper quote LGBT Labour co-chair, Katie Hanson - ie they've cut-and pasted the press release from them.
Hanson "says"; "It is unconscionable for the Con-Dems to even think about scrapping the Human Rights Report which is a vital tool for speaking up for human rights and LGBT equality the world over."
"The previous Government was steadfast in its support for LGBT rights abroad by condemning human rights abuses affecting LGBT citizens and using its embassies to promote our own positive record in solidarity with those fighting for the rights we now take for granted..."
What does Paul Canning of LGBT Asylum News make of this on their website?
"Rubbish."

Here is an edited version of Paul Canning's response [read it in full here]:

"Labour really is shameless in hoping we'll all forget the gaping, gigantic, ginormous gaps in its LGBT record isn't it?
On asylum it's taken months before one solitary leader has acknowledged their appalling record - something completely and deliberately ignored during the election campaign in favour of a 'forget that, look over here' approach of 'keep pointing at the domestic legislative record' and 'yell loudly whenever some odd right-wing Tory 'misspeaks''.
"On LGBT rights overseas, as I've documented, under Labour it was all about EU members with the occasional stretch to Africa and never about the world's biggest LGBT rights catastropy - Iraq. During the election the leading contender for the leadership David Miliband even told someone to shut up about Iraq during an LGBT event. The international record for Labour is actually thin, weak and late but you wouldn't know it from them banging on about it..."
"Now LGBT Labour is joining in with Amnesty International amongst others blasting William Hague's Foreign Office on the new government's record internationally on human rights in general and LGBT specifically. The reason? Because of the generalised cost-cutting effort, they're looking at stopping publishing the annual human rights report as a glossy brochure and instead just publishing it online."
"That's it. That's the big 'sell out'."
[On Hanson's claim that "the previous Government was steadfast in its support for LGBT rights abroad"]
"Tell that to the LGBT Muscovites sold out by both Miliband when he was Foreign Secretary and now Hague. Tell that to the asylum seekers told by the Labour government that Jamaica and Uganda are 'safe' countries so 'f+++ off home'. But most of all tell that to the LGBT Iraqis murdered by the hundreds. The annual report they're rushing to defend claimed, under Miliband, that Iraqi "official figures do not show a significant overall increase in violence against, or systematic abuse of, the homosexual community by fundamentalists or militia groups"."
"Miliband consistently refused to offer any criticism of Iraq's government, even when evidence mounted of their direct involvement in the killing of LGBT."
"Where was LGBT Labour when Miliband was selling out foreign LGBT? In hiding. Nowhere to be found. "Steadfast in its support"? You're kidding me, right?
"There's little reason to think the Coalition will be any better, though LGBTory are loudly calling for support for international LGBT rights, but come on! Have some humility! Labour are just shameless."

Asylum: Was It The Sun Wot Lost It?

Who placed this story in The Sun; 'Grant Me Asylum So I Can Win X Factor'?
"A failed asylum seeker is begging immigration officials not to throw him out of Britain - so he can win X Factor.
"Desperate Ahmed Ali al-Hamed has had his application to stay here rejected and ought to be on his way back to the Middle East."
The Sun quotes one of their ever-present anonymous "sources"; “This must be a first - an asylum seeker using a reality TV show as the basis for his case. He has exhausted all the normal channels and now appears to be clinging to this.”
Was he?
The X Factor entrant, "Zac", said in an interview with Manchester's Lesbian and Gay Foundation; "I was shocked that the paper used my real name and age. I rang them and they said a press release had come from the X Factor's marketing company".
LGBT Asylum News has "confirmed that the conversation with Sun journalist Chris Robertson took place in the presence of a worker for the Young Person's Advisory Service (YPAS) in Liverpool, of which Zac is a client.
"YPAS LGBT Youth Co-ordinator Kieran Bohan told us that Zac had been called by the X Factor 5 July to inform him about the article which was published 3 July. Zac then went to YPAS and Robertson was called. He told Zac that the article was based on a press release."
Talkback Thames deny this; "There was no press release issued to The Sun by the X Factor. We did not disclose personal information about this contestant."
According to the LGF interview; "Zac says having his identity revealed means his life would be in danger if his case is rejected and he is forced to go back to his homeland."
The LGF article also states; "After the story was published in The Sun Zac was told by X Factor producers that he's not coming back for the next round of auditions in Manchester."
But did he fail the audition - or break the contest's rules by talking to the press?