Research Paper on Contemporary Crisis of Refugees

Introduction

Uganda has been hitting the headlines globally due to its uncompromised laws concerning lesbianism and gay. In the eyes of the locals in Uganda, the condition for lesbianism, bisexual, gay, intersex, and transgender ( LGBTI) in its major cities and towns have worsened (Adamczyk, 2017). Both gay and lesbianism practices are strongly opposed in African culture. The practice is judged to be a vice hence unacceptable in the majority of the African societies at large. Recently, Uganda has been the latest country to pass harsh regarding the practice of same-sex state (Alava, 2017). Despite this, some no ng governmental organizations have come up in arm against the laws arguing that both the lesbians and gays are human beings hence need protection and acceptance. Though no deal has been reached, these lesbians need protection from the harsh laws. The lesbians and gays are not harming any third party, and they have to be accepted and protected from prosecution in their original country as they have their rights and freedom (Adamczyk, 2017).

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Current Situation of Gays and Lesbians in Uganda

At the start, one of the leading local tabloids in Uganda publicized names and Identification Card (ID) number of those individuals suspected to be gays and lesbians (Messih, 2016). This move significantly put the gays' and lesbians' lives at risk, hence, compelling them to vacate their mother country, Uganda, and seek asylum in foreign nations. Since Homosexuality and lesbianism is a vice in the African setup, the Ugandan government followed suit and passed the Anti-Homosexuality Act in 2014. This was after the publishing of the suspected gay and lesbians' community. The newly introduced law forbids same-sex relationships. It proposed harsh actions against any individual, media, or business firm which will be found promoting same-sex relationships (Adamczyk, 2017). The penalties include life imprisonment for the individuals and revoking of licenses for the firms advertising she sex acts. It is notable that Uganda alone, despite the discrimination and rejection these gays and lesbians undergo, it has an estimated population of one million and two hundred thousand LGBTI members.

Criticism of Anti-Homosexuality Laws in Uganda

One of the most surprising things is that Uganda was previously a renowned LGBTI community. The Ugandan government is disrespecting the already established rules and cultural practice that was already set and followed before them clinging to power. During the precolonial periods, most of the Ugandans practiced same-sex relationships (Adamczyk, 2017). One of their long-serving leaders is King Mwanga III was a famous bisexual who at all cost fought the influence of Islamic laws and missionaries in his LGBTI community in Uganda. It is until the British colonized them and installed new rules, that the Ugandan LGBTI families started facing discrimination. It is unfair for the Ugandan authorities to hunt down and even kill the lesbians and the gays in their country. It should be known that before the application of the Anti-Homosexuality law, Uganda was an LGBTI haven. It is a practice that was supported by their early rulers hence needs to accommodate the tradition that has outgrown (Messih, 2016).

Secondly, the Ugandan government is violating fundamental human rights by prosecuting the LBGTI members. It is bright and evident in the United Nations Humans Rights Commission (UNHRC) constitution that every individual need to be protected from any form of discrimination on the basis of gender, sex, race, marital, status, health status, religion, age, region, dress, culture, beliefs, conscience, and color among other factors (Bompani & Valois, 2017). Despite these laws of the UNHRC of which Uganda is an active member, it is going against them. The Ugandan government needs to follow the rules and regulations set under its mother body (UNHRC) and set everyone to obey the rights and freedom of every individual. The lesbians and gays have similar rights; hence it is unlawful to discriminate them by sex, gender, and conscience (Alava, 2017).

It is unfortunate that the LGBTI community is being driven out of Uganda (their mother country) for practicing one of their rights, same-sex relationships. To make it clear, the forced vacation is illegal. Basing on the Ugandan High Court ruling, both the lesbians and gays have equal rights in the society as an individual (Bompani & Valois, 2017). So long as they are not causing injuries to the non-participants, they need to be accommodated and given the same respect and social accordance just like any other person. It is frustrating that despite the Anti-Homosexuality Act being overturned by the High Court in Uganda, the government is still pursuing them (Messih, 2016). This has brainwashed the other members of the society who have come to believe that lesbians and gays are outcasts in the community. Ugandan's government actions have created unnecessary hatred, discrimination, and biased towards LGBTI members. The lesbians and gays in Uganda have been deprived their most basic rights hence have to wander seeking asylum. This is a sure violation of human rights as stated by their parent body UNHRC (Walker, 2018).

Possible Solutions for the LGBTI Community

Demonstrate Against Violation of Their Rights

In defense of the gays and the lesbians in Uganda and around the globe, the LGBTI officials have to play in protecting their members. It is certain that every country with the LGBTI members has its representatives who speak on their behalf. There are a variety of options that the LGBTI members can use to protect themselves from the harsh, judgmental environment they are in. To begin with, the lesbians and gays in Uganda are estimated to be 1.2 million; this is a significant size of people who can hold a peaceful demonstration against violation of their fundamental rights (Messih, 2016). The events are likely to pressure to Ugandan government to hence give in and respect the LGBTI community's rights. The games have to be peaceful so that no chance of accusation against them by the government is visible.

Take Legal Actions

It is evident that the Anti-Homosexuality is now null and void in Uganda, credits to the high court ruling which reversed the installation and implementation of this law. The Ugandan gays and lesbian refugees through their representatives can stage a legal battle to address their plight and fight for their human rights (Bompani & Valois, 2017). Through the court, it is almost sure that they will emerge the victors. Basing on the court's previous judgment in favor of the LGBTI community in Uganda, it is likely to state strict measures which will prohibit the Ugandan authorities from harassing and evicting the lesbians and gays from the country. This will help reduce the high tension that is being experienced in Uganda against them (Walker, 2018).

Seek Refuge in Friendly Countries

Suppose thee two mentioned techniques (demonstrations and court battles) fail, and the LGBTI will have to seek asylum in more friendly states (Walker, 2018). Uganda's closest neighbors, Kenya, have described being a more accommodative nation which highly values and respects people's rights and freedom. Recent reports show that there has been a mass influx of Ugandans crossing to Kenya since the Anti-Homosexuality laws were passed in Uganda. Kenya has set up rules which protect the association and interaction of same-sex individuals without court consequences of prison term sentences (Alava, 2017).

Recommendations

Adhere To Foreign Laws and Be Understanding

Same sex relationships are still a contentious issue in African societies. The LGBTI refugees from Uganda who are seeking asylum need to be cautious and observe the foreign laws in the court tries they are running to. For example, Kenya has a different set up of rules as compared to those used in Uganda. The gay and lesbian refugees need to obey those laws even if other requirements are favoring them. There have been cases in which LGBTI asylum seekers in Kenya are demanding immediate financial help and quick tracking of their resettlement. These refugees must have been misled as such demands are never guaranteed.

Seek International Help

To ease their sufferings and pile more pressure to the Ugandan authorities, the gays and lesbian refugees from Uganda need to reach for help from global communities. One of their prime sponsors could be the human rights body which will help them in fighting for their rights in Uganda. The second option is the countries which permit same-sex relationships and are the primary sponsor of Uganda's economy. The attention of the LGBTI members to these countries will likely help as the sponsor countries will have to cut short their aid program to Uganda until it reinstates the rights of these gays and lesbians.

References

Adamczyk, A. (2017). Cross-national public opinion about homosexuality: Examining attitudes across the globe. University of California Press. Retrieved from

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520288768/cross-national-public-opinion-about-homosexuality&ved=2ahUKEwjIq5LP76HhAhVKBWMBHTw2AZQQFjAAegQIBBAB&usg=AOvVaw1JZcam4iHbf-bzk-sPEDTA&cshid=1553674303309

Alava, H. (2017). Homosexuality, the holy family and a failed mass wedding in Catholic Northern Uganda. Critical African Studies, 9(1), 32-51. Retrieved from

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://tuhat.helsinki.fi/portal/services/downloadRegister/85774792/21681392.2016.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwip_6iU8KHhAhWIoBQKHau2Bt0QFjABegQIBRAB&usg=AOvVaw3GMnFS6Th9jL2fxeLySW-j

Bompani, B., & Valois, C. (2017). Sexualizing politics: The anti-homosexuality bill, party-politics and the new political dispensation in Uganda. Critical African Studies, 9(1), 52-70. Retrieved from

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/21681392.2015.1137479&ved=2ahUKEwiQqP-U76HhAhUoAmMBHVlqDFcQFjAAegQIAxAB&usg=AOvVaw2hd9wukx9LX6Fbhb4Km3ej

Messih, M. (2016). Mental health in LGBT refugee populations. American Journal of Psychiatry Residents' Journal, 11(07), 5-7. Retrieved from

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp-rj.2016.110704&ved=2ahUKEwje-oqE8aHhAhVDAmMBHcfxBxIQFjAAegQIAxAB&usg=AOvVaw1tLzd8Q4XFXNjayehlw2Zz.

Walker, K. (2018, April). New Uses of the Refugees Convention: Sexuality and Refugee Status. The Refugees Convention 50 Years on Globalisation and International Law (pp. 251-278). Routledge. Retrieved from

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.unhcr.org/4ca348026.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjHwLis8qHhAhVJ5uAKHVNOBK0QFjAAegQIBRAB&usg=AOvVaw1DHEXdR58M1LQeST1ZIrwC