(OTTAWA) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is calling on Uganda to repeal its law passed this week imposing the death penalty on some members of the LGBTQ+ community.
This news provides for the death penalty for an offense of “aggravated homosexuality”, such as having sex while being HIV-positive, as well as life imprisonment for homosexual persons.
Prison sentences of up to 20 years can also be imposed on people who promote the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
Mr. Trudeau “condemns in the strongest terms the despicable law proposed by the Ugandan government”, and adds that Ottawa “opposes it”.
The Prime Minister assures that he will explore options to support the LGBTQ+ community in Uganda. He said all world leaders – especially other members of the Commonwealth – should condemn this “appalling and heinous” law.
Washington also urged Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to block the law passed by the country’s politicians on Tuesday, while Mr. Trudeau asked lawmakers to “reconsider” this “anti-homosexuality” law.
The Ugandan High Commission in Canada was not immediately available for comment.