Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has
compared a proposed anti-gay bill in Uganda to Nazi Germany.
In a statement released Sunday, the
82-year-old Tutu pleaded with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to
veto the bill which imposes harsh life sentences for people
repeatedly convicted of having consensual sex with a member of the
same sex.
The South African Anglican cleric –
known for his stance against apartheid – said he was “very
disheartened” to learn that Museveni had decided to sign the
legislation into law. (On Sunday, it
was reported that Museveni had postponed his decision.)
“In South Africa, apartheid police
used to rush into bedrooms where whites were suspected of making love
to blacks,” Tutu is quoted as saying in a statement by the
AFP. “It was demeaning to those whose 'crime' was to love each
other, it was demeaning to the police – and it was a blot on our
entire society.”
“The history of people is littered
with attempts to legislate against love or marriage across class,
caste and race.”
“But there is no scientific basis or
genetic rationale for love. There is only the grace of God. There
is no scientific justification for prejudice and discrimination,
ever. And nor is there any moral justification.”
“Nazi Germany and apartheid South
Africa, among others, attest to these facts,” he said.
Tutu called on Museveni to reject the
bill.
“My plea to President Museveni is to
use his country's debate around the Anti-Homosexuality Bill as a
catalyst to further strengthen the culture of human rights and
justice in Uganda.”