BRUSSELS, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- Ugandan authorities are called on to decriminalize homosexuality, the European Parliament president said after the death of a gay rights activist.
European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek called on Ugandan authorities to investigate the killing of Ugandan gay rights activist David Kato.
Kato's body, apparently bludgeoned to death, was found Tuesday in his home near Kampala. He recently won a court battle with Ugandan tabloid Rolling Stone, which had called for the death of Ugandan homosexuals.
"David Kato was a man that fought for the rights of people to live freely regardless of their sexual orientation in Uganda," Buzek said in a statement. "I call for the perpetrators of this crime to be brought to justice. (Kato) was a remarkable human rights defender."
The Rolling Stone newspaper in Uganda last year sparked controversy when it published the names of people the editors said were homosexuals. Many of those listed were attacked after the publications. One headline read "Hang them" above the list of names.
Buzek said the European Union was calling on Uganda to review their laws so that homosexuality is no longer a crime in the country.
"I underline that sexual orientation is a matter falling within the remit of the individual right to privacy in the framework of universal human rights and fundamental freedoms," he said.
