Colette Kelleher (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I, like many in this Chamber and around the world, was shocked by recent announcements coming out of Tanzania. Last week showed us that it is still not safe to be gay in our world.Homosexuality remains a crime punishable by 30 years imprisonment in Tanzania and, last week, Paul Makonda, the governor of Dar es Salaam - the country's economic hub - established squads dedicated to rounding up and imprisoning members of the LGBTQI community. This is a reprehensible and draconian practice. While it is not supported by the Tanzanian President, it bears all the hallmarks of a regime that is by no means committed to human rights. Tanzania was openly anti-gay under the leadership of President John Magufuli but matters have truly intensified in the past year with lawyers being deported for defending homosexuality, the closure of HIV and AIDS clinics accused of promoting homosexuality and threats to publish lists of those accused of being gay by the then Deputy Health Minister, Hamisi Kigwangalla, as if being gay is a crime.

In 2018, a governor close to the Tanzanian President is creating an ad hocgroup that will identify and carry out mass arrests of members of the LGBTQI community. Too often in the past, appalling acts of violence, discrimination and deep-rooted prejudice have been perpetrated against vulnerable communities in society. The LGBTI community in Tanzania is crying out for help on this occasion. Ireland must do everything in its power to act in solidarity and to support the group being targeted. The Government and Irish Aid need to use whatever influence is at their disposal to deter the disgraceful actions taken by the governor of Dar es Salaam and to implore the Government of Tanzania to respect and protect vulnerable groups, such as the LGBTI community, in Tanzania. How will Ireland respond to the latest in a swathe of viciously anti-LGBTQI attacks by the Tanzanian Government and how does the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade hope to address this matter? Could the Leader ask the Minister to come to the House to outline his approach in respect of these appalling violations of human rights and worrying trends?