Guterres Comments on Homosexuality in Uganda: What Did He Say?

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed serious concern about the passage of the "Anti-Homosexuality Law" in Uganda, which includes the imposition of the death penalty and long prison sentences as punishment for consensual activities between adults. A statement from the UN spokesperson indicated that this law increases the risk of escalating violence and persecution already faced by lesbians, gays, and bisexuals in Uganda. In the statement, the Secretary-General called on Uganda to fully respect its international commitments in the field of human rights, particularly the principle of non-discrimination and the respect for personal privacy regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. He reiterated his call for all UN member states to comply with their obligations under international human rights law and to decriminalize consensual same-sex relationships.