Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I remind members, witnesses and those in the public gallery to ensure their mobile telephones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference, even in silent mode, with the recording equipment in the committee rooms. The purpose of the meeting is to have a discussion with Ms Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera, executive director of Freedom and Roam Uganda, on the position of LGBTI people in Uganda. I am delighted to welcome her. I met her briefly earlier. She is accompanied by Mr. Colm O'Gorman, executive director of Amnesty International Ireland, and Ms Aisling Seely of Amnesty International Ireland.

In our work programme for the year the joint committee selected a number of priority areas, particularly the area of promotion of human rights and equality in terms of gender, sexual orientation, religion and ethnicity. There has been increased awareness and significant progress in many countries, including Ireland, in human rights issues and in respect of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people. However, progress has been slower in many other countries. In Uganda a growing culture of homophobia and intolerance has had negative consequences for the gay rights community there. The anti-homosexuality Bill which is awaiting consideration in the Ugandan Parliament provides, among other things, for the death penalty in cases of aggravated homosexuality. It is against this background that Ms Kasha Jacqueline Nabasgesera will address the committee. She is executive director of Freedom and Roam Uganda, an NGO which seeks to empower gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex people and jointly advocate for respect, protection and fundamental rights in Uganda.

Before commencing, I advise that witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of utterances at the committee. However, if witnesses are directed by the committee to cease making remarks on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their remarks. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a Member of either House of the Oireachtas, a person outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I invite Ms Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera to address the committee.