Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2019
140. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to plans in Uganda to introduce laws that would make homosexual acts punishable by law; his plans to convey to Ugandan authorities opposition to such laws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43371/19]
View answerI am aware of the disturbing reports from Uganda regarding support for the re-tabling of a bill which would impose the death penalty on LGBTI individuals. A similar bill was rejected five years ago by the Constitutional Court of Uganda.
‘The Global Island: Ireland’s Foreign Policy for a 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.”
This sets a context for the Government’s deep concern relating to this matter. There is no situation in which a person’s fundamental human rights should be prejudiced, stigmatised or endangered in any way because of their sexual orientation.
Although these reports are taken very seriously, a Ugandan Government spokesperson has since clarified that the Government does not intend to introduce any new anti-LGBTI bill. This stance was reiterated by several senior Government Ministers in meetings with EU Ambassadors and officials in the days after this statement issued.
My Department, including through the Embassy of Ireland in Kampala, is closely monitoring the situation in Uganda and working closely with partners in support of the protection and promotion of human rights.
