Justice Forum (JEEMA) President and Ugandan Member of Parliament Asuman Basalirwa has criticized what he described as the imposition of Western human rights frameworks on non-Western societies.
He made the remarks during a high-level international conference on Eastern human rights held in Tehran.
Addressing delegates from various countries, Basalirwa argued that global human rights discourse has been dominated by Western ideologies, often at the expense of long-standing cultural and spiritual traditions from the East.
He urged countries involved in drafting and ratifying international human rights treaties to acknowledge the rich and diverse heritage of human rights thought embedded in religions such as Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
“The compliance of Eastern countries has allowed the West to position itself as the originator of human rights, giving it undue moral authority to set global standards,” Basalirwa said.
He specifically challenged the classification of homosexuality as a human right, saying such categorisations reflect Western moral values and ignore the cultural and religious contexts of many Eastern societies.
The conference, which brought together scholars, political leaders, and religious representatives, focused on how Eastern spiritual traditions can inform and shape alternative human rights narratives.
Basalirwa’s remarks echoed growing calls for a more pluralistic approach to global governance and legal norms.
His speech comes at a time of intensifying debate over the universality of human rights, with several countries in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East advocating for frameworks that reflect local values, history, and belief systems.
Basalirwa, a key figure in Uganda’s opposition and a vocal advocate of traditional and religious values, has frequently criticised what he sees as external interference in domestic cultural affairs under the guise of human rights.