I am seriously concerned about the passing of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill by the Ugandan Parliament and its subsequent signing into law by President Museveni. Ireland had urged the President to ensure the Bill was not enacted. I have made it clear that the enactment of this draconian legislation will affect our valued relationship with Uganda. During my visit to Uganda in December 2013, I met with representatives of human rights groups working on LGTBI issues, and they outlined in stark terms the implications of the then proposed new law for their lives and work. I assured them of Ireland’s continued support in arguing against this regressive Bill.
The new legislation is in clear conflict with Uganda’s binding international obligations to uphold human rights. It is in contravention of the principle of non-discrimination in the Ugandan Constitution, in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and in the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, both of which have been ratified by Uganda. It is the responsibility of the Ugandan Government to uphold its international obligations to treat all citizens equally, regardless of their sexual orientation.
Ireland, together with our EU partners in Uganda, has been actively engaged with the Ugandan Parliament and President Museveni in efforts to halt such discriminatory legislation since it was first proposed in 2009. We have engaged intensively since the Bill re-entered Parliament unexpectedly in December 2013. The new law is a threat to Uganda’s gay community and an affront to all those who value tolerance, respect and the dignity of all people. It will also undermine public health in a very practical way, including the efforts to combat the scourge of HIV/AIDS in Uganda.
Ireland has participated actively in high level discussions within the EU on this issue. Strong statements have been issued by the High Representative, Catherine Ashton on behalf of the EU and the member states, expressing our deep concern in relation to the legislation.
When I addressed the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva earlier this week, I highlighted our grave concerns at the enactment of regressive legislation in a number of countries, including Uganda, affecting the rights of LGBTI individuals. I called on the Human Rights Council to be more vocal on a situation in which the rights of LGBTI people continue to be violated on a daily basis.
The Government has consistently supported the promotion and protection of the human rights of all persons, irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and we are strongly committed to combating all human rights violations against individuals on any basis. Our commitments in this area are fundamental to our foreign policy and our aid programme.
Our foreign policy approach, our aid programme and our international reputation give Ireland a strong voice, in close cooperation with other partners, on vital human rights issues. We will continue to work internationally and in Uganda to promote human rights, including LGBTI rights, and to support human rights organisations and institutions, many of which are operating in very difficult environments. We strongly urge the Ugandan authorities to abolish all laws that contravene human rights obligations, including this regressive new legislation.
