Death of Ugandan gay rights activist must not be in vain

OPINION: The ignorant prejudice that most likely led to DavidKato's murder must be fought, writes NAVI PILLAY

NEWS OF the brutal murder of Ugandan human rights activist DavidKato has reverberated around the world. David was beaten to death athis home outside of Kampala on January 26th. He had dedicated muchof his working life to helping those persecuted because of theirsexual orientation or gender identity.

In the months leading up to his death, he was a target of a hatecampaign mounted by a local newspaper, Rolling Stone, which printedhis name, photograph and address alongside those of dozens of othersthe paper claimed were gay or lesbian, and called for them to behanged. Just last month, he and two other litigants took thenewspaper to court, successfully securing an injunction preventingit publishing similar stories in future.

David Kato's visibility as an openly gay man and an activist forthe rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people hasunderstandably fuelled speculation that he was the victim of a fatalhomophobic attack. We must await the outcome of judicial proceedingsto know who killed him and why. But whoever is responsible andwhatever their motive, we know the fear felt by many lesbian, gay,bisexual and transgender individuals in Uganda and elsewhere whocontinue to face widespread prejudice and the constant threat ofhomophobic violence. David Kato's death robs them of a brave andeloquent advocate.

If David's murder stimulates discussion about the violence anddiscrimination facing people because of their sexual orientation ortheir gender identity, then his death will not have been completelyin vain. That discussion must inevitably address the question ofdecriminalising homosexuality.

Criminal sanctions remain on the statute books in more than 70countries, including Uganda. Such laws are an anachronism, in mostcases a hangover from the old days of colonial rule. They areinherently discriminatory and constitute a violation of the humanrights of those whose conduct they seek to sanction. States oftenjustify the existence of these laws with reference to popularopinion. Yet popular opinion alone can never justify deprivingcertain people of their rights.

Decriminalising homosexuality is an essential first step towardsestablishing genuine equality before the law. But real, lastingprogress cannot be achieved by changing laws alone. We must changeminds as well. Like racism and misogyny, homophobia is prejudiceborn of ignorance. And like other forms of prejudice, the mosteffective long-term response is information and education. Thechallenge is to encourage a similar shift in public attitudestowards those whose sexual orientation or gender identity differsfrom that of the majority in society.

This is a major undertaking that will require the involvement andcommitment of us all. Basic messages on non-discrimination, equalityand human rights should be included in school curriculumseverywhere, reinforced by effective public education campaigns thatengage the general public. The role of civil society is vital.Wherever social progress has been achieved over the last 100 yearsit has involved the concerted efforts of community-based groups andother non-governmental organisations. Today, with the presence ofsocial media and internet-based campaigns, the potential impact ofcivil society-led public education is greater than ever.

We at the UN support and encourage this change. UN secretarygeneral Ban Ki-moon has already committed himself to the task.Speaking on Human Rights Day, December 10th, 2010, he said:"Violence will end only when we confront prejudice. Stigma anddiscrimination will end only when we agree to speak out. Thatrequires all of us to do our part; to speak out at home, at work, inour schools and communities; to stand in solidarity."

Today we mark the loss of a remarkable man, a remarkable humanrights activist. Let us honour David Kato's memory by recommittingto the values he sought to defend: the equal worth and dignity ofevery human being, regardless of their sexuality or gender identity.

Navi Pillay is the United Nations high commissioner for humanrights