Obama statement condemns Uganda killing

By on January 27, 2011

President Obama on Thursday issued a statement calling on the Ugandan government to hold accountable those who murdered LGBT activist David Kato.

Notably, the president states that “LGBT rights are not special rights; they are human rights,” recalling a similar line from a speech that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave in June.

The complete statement follows:

I am deeply saddened to learn of the murder of David Kato.  In Uganda, David showed tremendous courage in speaking out against hate.  He was a powerful advocate for fairness and freedom.  The United States mourns his murder, and we recommit ourselves to David’s work.

At home and around the world, LGBT persons continue to be subjected to unconscionable bullying, discrimination, and hate.  In the weeks preceding David Kato’s murder in Uganda, five members of the LGBT community in Honduras were also murdered.  It is essential that the Governments of Uganda and Honduras investigate these killings and hold the perpetrators accountable.

LGBT rights are not special rights; they are human rights.  My Administration will continue to strongly support human rights and assistance work on behalf of LGBT persons abroad.  We do this because we recognize the threat faced by leaders like David Kato, and we share their commitment to advancing freedom, fairness, and equality for all.

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Comments
  • Peter the saint January 28, 2011 at 3:32 am

    Wow. Bush never woulda said that… now I feel kinda guilty for calling the president’s comment line to say that the usa should freeze all financial aid to Uganda; their government has created a climate of murder towards gay people by publicizing their “kill the gays” bill for all these months… but it has…

    OK. Not really feeling guilty. I am appreciative, but that saying really does come to mind:

    “Put your money where your mouth is.”

    Or taketh away the money. Please. For David Kato’s sake. And mine. And ours.

  • customartist January 28, 2011 at 8:40 am

    Who killed David Kato?… a STRAIGHT Person. The same kind that do all Gay killings.

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