Example: Uganda's Anti-Gay Laws
1. What is the human rights issue?
Uganda has laws that unfairly persecute lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals. In this example, a gay man named John Abdallah Wambre has sought asylum in the United States. Wambre, originally from Uganda, sought asylum after the Ugandan president signed into law a homosexuality act that made homosexual acts punishable by prison terms, including life in prison.
2. Where is it happening?
The human rights violation occurred in Uganda.
3. Whose rights are being violated?
A citizen of Uganda, John Abdallah Wambre’s human rights were violated.
4. Who is responsible for the injustice?
The government of Uganda is responsible for the injustice since they signed it into law.
5. Which rights of the UDHR are being violated? Explain why this is a human rights violation.
Article 14 of the UDHR is being violated. Wambre had the right to seek asylum in another country since his country was limiting his rights.
6. Is anything being done to address the problem?
While the Anti-Homosexuality Act in Uganda was invalidated in August, it was on a technicality and is not addressing the problem. To address the violations Wambre is going to continue to advocate for LGBT Ugandans from his new home in the U.S.. The situation in Uganda is still dangerous for LGBT individuals who live there and continue to experience discrimination and widespread homophobia. Human rights organizations have been campaigning to get the legislature to change the laws.
7. What else do you think should be done to address the problem?
International pressure could help national activists in Uganda. Ugandan activists may want to appeal to the British government. Part of the reason the Ugandan government was able to enforce this is due to the face that they were a colony of Britain and under the penal code that was established then, same-sex sexual conduct remains illegal. The British government could put pressure on the Ugandan government, especially because Britain now has laws protecting LGBT people. A second thing that could be done to address this problem is for other governments to grant asylum to LGBT individuals who are being persecuted in Uganda. By granting asylum they are ensuring that the individual is safe.
8. Provide a citation for your source using MLA format.
Dreisbach, Tom. "Ugandan LGBT Activist Recommend For Asylum In U.S.." NPR. n.p., 21 Sept 2014. Web. 22 Sept. 2014. http://www.npr.org/2014/09/21/349668587/ugandan-lgbt-activist-recommended-for-asylum-in-u-s?ft=3&f=1001,1003,1004,1090
9. Describe the source of the information. Is it credible? Is it a primary source?
National Public Radio (NPR) is a reliable news source. It is a prestigious news organization funded with public money and reports in a balanced way. In the article and in the radio segment Wambre was interviewed. He is a reliable primary source since he is the one who witnessed first hand the violation that was occurring.
1. What is the human rights issue?
Uganda has laws that unfairly persecute lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals. In this example, a gay man named John Abdallah Wambre has sought asylum in the United States. Wambre, originally from Uganda, sought asylum after the Ugandan president signed into law a homosexuality act that made homosexual acts punishable by prison terms, including life in prison.
2. Where is it happening?
The human rights violation occurred in Uganda.
3. Whose rights are being violated?
A citizen of Uganda, John Abdallah Wambre’s human rights were violated.
4. Who is responsible for the injustice?
The government of Uganda is responsible for the injustice since they signed it into law.
5. Which rights of the UDHR are being violated? Explain why this is a human rights violation.
Article 14 of the UDHR is being violated. Wambre had the right to seek asylum in another country since his country was limiting his rights.
6. Is anything being done to address the problem?
While the Anti-Homosexuality Act in Uganda was invalidated in August, it was on a technicality and is not addressing the problem. To address the violations Wambre is going to continue to advocate for LGBT Ugandans from his new home in the U.S.. The situation in Uganda is still dangerous for LGBT individuals who live there and continue to experience discrimination and widespread homophobia. Human rights organizations have been campaigning to get the legislature to change the laws.
7. What else do you think should be done to address the problem?
International pressure could help national activists in Uganda. Ugandan activists may want to appeal to the British government. Part of the reason the Ugandan government was able to enforce this is due to the face that they were a colony of Britain and under the penal code that was established then, same-sex sexual conduct remains illegal. The British government could put pressure on the Ugandan government, especially because Britain now has laws protecting LGBT people. A second thing that could be done to address this problem is for other governments to grant asylum to LGBT individuals who are being persecuted in Uganda. By granting asylum they are ensuring that the individual is safe.
8. Provide a citation for your source using MLA format.
Dreisbach, Tom. "Ugandan LGBT Activist Recommend For Asylum In U.S.." NPR. n.p., 21 Sept 2014. Web. 22 Sept. 2014. http://www.npr.org/2014/09/21/349668587/ugandan-lgbt-activist-recommended-for-asylum-in-u-s?ft=3&f=1001,1003,1004,1090
9. Describe the source of the information. Is it credible? Is it a primary source?
National Public Radio (NPR) is a reliable news source. It is a prestigious news organization funded with public money and reports in a balanced way. In the article and in the radio segment Wambre was interviewed. He is a reliable primary source since he is the one who witnessed first hand the violation that was occurring.