Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Honor the life and support the work of this LGBT crusader and all brave activists who put their lives on the line to defend basic human rights.

Dear Stuart,

David Kato was a prominent LGBT rights defender in Uganda until a few weeks ago, when he was bludgeoned to death with a hammer in his home. His death is the latest tragic example of the constant threat so many lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people face in Uganda.

Uganda, indeed much of Africa, is a frightening place to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. An "Anti-Homosexuality Bill", a how-to manual for abhorrent human rights violations, looms in the Ugandan Parliament like a poisonous black cloud. The bill calls for life imprisonment for homosexual acts, three years in prison for failing to report a homosexual person, and, for so-called "aggravated homosexuality," death.

Never intimidated by the culture of hate perpetrated by anti-LGBT forces in Uganda, David Kato fought tirelessly against this bill, and for rights for all Ugandans.

If justice for David's murder is not pursued, it will send a chilling signal to Uganda's LGBT community and all who defend them.
Stop the violence against Uganda's LGBT community.
Amnesty International is committed to demanding justice for David and an end to the violence against Uganda's LGBT community, but we need your support to make it work.

Will you become a member of Amnesty International and fortify our campaign to defend human rights in Uganda and throughout the world?

The situation in Uganda will surely worsen if the international community does not step up the pressure. The Ugandan government needs to hear loud and clear that it is wrong and against international human rights law to codify hate, discrimination and murder.

Let Uganda's LGBT community know that you stand with them. Your donation will immediately bolster our lifesaving human rights work in Uganda and throughout Africa.

David's voice was tragically silenced forever, but we can honor his memory and carry on his shared vision for a safer, more just world. Shine the light for David and for all who put their lives on the line to defend basic human rights. Click here to become a member of Amnesty International.
In solidarity,
Larry Cox Sincerely,
Larry Cox
Larry Cox
Executive Director
Amnesty International USA

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