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Human Rights Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 December 2012

Tuesday, 4 December 2012

Questions (127)

Seán Kyne

Question:

127. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if, in the context of on-going concerns about the human rights of Ugandan citizens who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transexual, his views on the need for an EU-wide approach to prevent any human rights abuses in this area. [54460/12]

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Written answers

Ireland, and our partners in the European Union, share the widespread concerns about the difficult situation faced by the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) community in Uganda and certain other countries in the region. We are particularly concerned about developments in relation to the draft Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which was presented as a private member’s Bill, and is currently under consideration at committee level in the Ugandan Parliament. The EU, along with other international partners, has engaged actively on this issue, in a coordinated manner, since it first arose in 2009. The EU continues to advocate strongly against the adoption of the proposed law and EU Ambassadors in Kampala, including the Ambassador of Ireland, outlined their serious concerns in a recent meeting with the Prime Minister of Uganda. The regular structured EU political dialogue with the Government of Uganda also provides an important opportunity to highlight our concerns in relation to the proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill directly.

In addition to the coordinated EU response to the proposed law, Ireland has highlighted the matter bilaterally with Ugandan authorities. I raised the issue directly with the President when I visited the country in July and I asked our Ambassador in Kampala to continue to follow developments closely. Our Embassy in Kampala has consistently made the case to the Government of Uganda, at all levels, that the passing of any such legislation would be in conflict with Uganda’s international human rights obligations and would have a detrimental effect on the country’s relations with its international development partners, including Ireland. The position of the Government of Uganda on the Bill is that it is not part of the Government’s legislative programme and President Museveni has made a commitment to engage members of Parliament on the implications of this Bill for Uganda’s international relations and reputation.

We, along with our partners in the EU, remain committed to ensuring that the citizens of Uganda do not suffer violence or discrimination on the grounds of their sexual orientation. Our Embassy in Uganda will continue monitor developments closely in the coming weeks.

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