URGENT ACTION APPEAL

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(Mer bakgrunnsinfo på http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/06/11/uganda19091.htm)

Date: June 17, 2008

The three Ugandan LGBT/HIV human rights defenders that were arrested and detained on the 4th of June 2008 and charged with criminal trespass will face prosecution at 9 am on Friday, the 20th of June 2008 at the Magistrate’s court in Kampala.

We are requesting that you write letters to the Attorney General of Uganda, and Director of Public Prosecutions, Uganda requesting for the charges to be dropped unconditionally, as soon as possible. Please contact the relevant officers below, with this request, highlighting the fact that the action was justified, the Conference Organizers also did give accreditation to the three activists, and that it is in the interest of the Ugandan Population as a whole, and the War on HIV/AIDS in particular to include Sexual Minorities in HIV/AIDS Prevention efforts in Uganda.

We also request those of you that are based in Uganda to come to court on Friday to show your support and belief in the indivisibility of human rights.

Background:

Three Human Rights Defenders were arrested during the just concluded HIV/AIDS Implementers meeting in Kampala. There were objecting to the exclusion of Sexual Minorities from the HIV/AIDS Prevention programmes in the country.

After two days and nights of detention in police cells, the three: Pepe Julian Onziema, Valentine Kalende and Usaam Mukwaya were charged with Criminal Trespass, a charge that carries a one year jail term according to section 302 of the Penal Code of Uganda. They were released on bail on the 6th of June 2008.

Please send email, fax and/or call the officials below:

Hon. Dr. Edward Kiddu Makubuya

Attorney General

Minister of Justice, Constitutional Affairs & Attorney General

Tel: +256-414-230-538

Fax: +256-414-254-829

Email: mojca@africaonline.co.ug

Mr. Richard Buteera

Director of Public Prosecutions

Ministry of Justice, Constitutional Affairs & the Attorney General

Tel: +256-414-332-502/332-504

Fax: +256-414-258-565/341-316

Email: admin@dpp.go.ug

For further information please contact;

David Kato

+256-773-104-971

Frank Mugisha

+256-772-616-062

Victor Juliet Mukasa

+256-753-116-034