Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I also welcome Ms Nabagesera and the other members of the delegation. She has painted a challenging picture for us of what is happening to the homosexual and lesbian community in Uganda. I ask for clarity on some of the issues raised.

The measures included in the Bill appear draconian. Two of the provisions were outlined in the briefing document we received from the Department, one of which was related to the death penalty in the case of aggravated homosexuality. This was highlighted as one of two very controversial and extreme elements.

What is meant by "aggravated homosexuality"?

Consider the sentence of three years' imprisonment for the failure to disclose the identity of gay persons, which obviously affects family members, medical practitioners, etc. What is the current law? The proposed Bill is a Private Members' Bill. The note we received states the Ugandan Government would say that in a democracy such a Bill is on the table and can be moved.

The real issue is the decriminalisation of homosexuality. What efforts are being made in that regard in Uganda? Once that is achieved, the other issues are more or less resolved. I sympathise with Ms Nabagesera when she talks about outside influence. In Africa, unfortunately, many battles of the kind in question are taking place. There are American groups trying to promulgate their views on abortion and to make acceptance of these views a condition for the granting of aid there. That is an appalling breach of human rights. Issues certainly arise in connection with the principle to which the delegation referred.

President Museveni is generally regarded as having generated an improvement in human rights in Uganda. He has said to Government officials here that his Government would not be supporting the Private Members' Bill. To what extent does Ms Nabagesera take comfort from that? As with many Private Members' Bills we have here, if they are not embraced by the Government, they do not go very far.