Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 November 2018
146. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the representations made to the Tanzanian Government on the level of the threat to the LGBT community and supporters of opposition parties there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46738/18]
View answer‘The Global Island: Ireland’s Foreign Policy For Changing World’ states clearly that: “We are committed to promoting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) individuals, who continue to suffer disproportionate levels of violence and face systemic discrimination in many countries.” There is no situation in which a person’s fundamental human rights should be prejudiced because of their sexual orientation.
This clear policy informed the Tánaiste’s letter to the Foreign Minister of Tanzania, Mr Augustine Mahiga, immediately upon learning of statements by the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner targeting members of the LGBTI+ community. The Tánaiste called upon the Tanzanian Government to ensure the protection of LGBTI+ people in line with Tanzania’s national and international human rights commitments.
Minister Mahiga subsequently issued a formal statement, distancing his Government from the Regional Commissioner’s comments and reiterating Tanzania’s commitment to uphold its international human rights obligations.
My Department, including through the Embassy of Ireland in Dar es Salaam, is monitoring the situation in Tanzania and working closely with partners in support of the protection and promotion of human rights.
