South Africa’s opposition party, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has condemned a harsh bill that was passed by the Ugandan Parliament seeking to prohibit homosexuality in the country.
Julius Malema-led party in a statement on Friday said it will continue to associate itself with the LGBTQI community..
“The EFF will without shame continue to associate itself with the LGBTQI+ community, as we will always be opposed to the criminalizing of people because of their sexual identity,” reads the statement.
The party also termed the bill completely irrational, as it is based on homophobic and baseless rhetoric which collates sexual crimes with queer identity.
“The stigma and hatred towards the LGBTQI+ community not only in Africa but across the world, infringes on the rights of individuals to identify as they see fit and express their sexuality without fear of persecution," reads the statement further.
The statement was signed by the party’s national spokesperson Sinawo Thambo further noted that the Ugandan bill is a massive step backwards for Africa and a gross violation of human rights.
In addition, EFF has urged President Yoweri Museveni not to sign the controversial bill that was unanimously adopted by the Parliament.
“The harmful rhetoric and propaganda that is pervasive in Africa against the LGBTQl+ community is baseless and illogical, as crimes committed by all sexes and genders of society are without justification, attributed to the community," EFF said
The party has also asked Museveni to instead embark on a massive programme of education on sexuality, gender identity, and on the rights of people to freely express themselves and associate with whomever they please.
If President Museveni signs the bill, anyone who will be involved with homosexuality in the country will be sentenced to a jail term of 10 years.
Meg Whitman: Why we deny people Visas to US