Evidence of meeting #13 for Subcommittee on International Human Rights in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was uganda.
A video is available from Parliament.
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
Yes, but could you tell us how that ties in with the situation in Uganda? I don't want to spend much longer on this, because it's already taken up too much time. It's fine if you don't have an answer.
Senior Researcher, Human Rights Watch
I didn't understand the question.
I will say that a number of rights groups in Uganda that specifically focus on promoting LGBT rights had a lot of challenges and continue to have a lot of challenges with receiving funding. That has obviously escalated over the last year and a half with the changes in funding practices by major international actors. What we call for is that the nature of funding take recognition of the specific needs that LGBT rights groups face and the conditions that they face.
A very specific and concrete example is to be able to provide funding for local LGBT rights groups to do online work. In the context of Uganda, many of them are not able to operate out of offices because of the climate that exists there, so I think the nature of funding has to shift in order to enable LGBT rights groups to do the important work that they are able to do in-country.
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
In the end, you understood the question perfectly, and I'm very satisfied with your answer. You are encouraging the Government of Canada to stop these cuts and to put more funding into international development and human rights groups.
Mr. Chagutah, we talked about the most effective or most urgently needed international supports that Canada, G7 countries or wealthy countries could provide. You're the regional director for east and southern Africa at Amnesty International. Could you also tell us where neighbouring countries and the other countries in Africa stand on what's happening in Uganda right now? Do their positions vary? Have any of them taken a position of non-interference or non-indifference? How have Uganda's neighbours and countries in Africa responded to the Anti-Homosexuality Act?
Regional Director, East and Southern Africa, Amnesty International
Thank you, honourable member.
With regard to other African countries, particularly in East Africa, we have recognized a failure to denounce the Ugandan government's attitude toward LGBTI rights. In fact, Amnesty International released a report about 18 months ago that showed that, across 12 countries in Africa, we have copycat legislation that is aimed at restricting the rights of LGBTI individuals, and in many instances we have the threat of similar legislation.
We are definitely noticing a trend where African countries are not calling out Uganda, but in fact there is a danger that there will be a spread of similar legislation across the continent.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Fayçal El-Khoury
I would like to invite Mr. Chang to take the floor for five minutes, please.
Liberal
Wade Chang Liberal Burnaby Central, BC
First of all, thank you to all the witnesses who are appearing today. Thank you so much for your courage.
Mr. Kabuye, you have shown tremendous courage in speaking out. What risks do activists and community leaders currently face when they advocate for the safety and dignity of 2SLGBTQI+ people in Uganda?
As an Individual
Thank you, Mr. Chang.
I'll start with this: First, it is in the hands of the government or in the hands of the mob, the general public, and second, it is imprisonment. The law clearly states that you face a certain number of years for standing up. They call it “promotion”. Another issue is displacement. The law clearly states that no one is allowed to let you rent any premises. When you speak up publicly, I don't think anyone can give you a house to rent. A lot of factors face you as a 2SLGBTQI+ rights defender, but just know that those are the main ones.
Funding is another factor. This work is very, very dangerous. It leads to you losing your job, to homelessness and everything else. You need a lot of funding for the general upkeep of your life and for the work you do. It is not guaranteed that you will be funded. That is also a major factor.
Liberal
Wade Chang Liberal Burnaby Central, BC
Thank you.
Are human rights defenders and organizations in Uganda still able to safely support 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, or has the law effectively shut down their network?
As an Individual
I would say that the law has affected them, but with the correct funding and the correct strategy, they can still support 2SLGBTQI+ individuals. We've started using different tactics so that we can at least bypass the government laws and instructions to, first of all, register our organizations and many other things.
They can still support these individuals, but in a way that is very cautious and in a way that they can still keep these individuals safe and the organizations still in operation.
Liberal
Wade Chang Liberal Burnaby Central, BC
What risks do families and allies face if they support someone who identifies themselves as a 2SLGBTQI+ member in Uganda today?
As an Individual
First, as a family member, you are not allowed to keep quiet if you know that your son or daughter or relative is part of the community. The law forces you to give them up to the law, to report to the police, or to use any means to report them to the authorities. If you keep quiet, you are eligible for a certain number of years in prison if you're found guilty.
Families face this problem. Believe it or not, the moment they realize you are part of the community, they have to let you go or give you up to the authorities.
Liberal
Wade Chang Liberal Burnaby Central, BC
The parents are required to report their sons or daughters to the police—
As an Individual
You are supposed to report them to the police so that the police will charge them under the Anti-Homosexuality Act. Otherwise, they will charge you for keeping quiet.
Liberal
Wade Chang Liberal Burnaby Central, BC
Oh. Wow. Thank you.
Has the law had unintended consequences for public health or mental health programs, particularly HIV prevention or treatment?
As an Individual
In fact, it has affected the mission to end AIDS by 2030. You cannot go out and seek medical attention, especially in a public hospital, because you fear you'll be outed. The doctors are mandated to give you up to the authorities the moment they know you identify as LGBTQ. They are mandated through the law. Many people fear seeking medical advice except when they're visiting medical facilities being operated by LGBTQI+ organizations, which are also facing closure due to the law or due to the scrutiny from government security officials.
It is a very, very huge obstacle. We do not have the clear numbers today, but right now we fear that there has been a rise in positive cases of HIV/AIDS.
Liberal
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Fayçal El-Khoury
Now I would like to invite Madame Kronis to take the floor for five minutes, please.
Conservative
Tamara Kronis Conservative Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Thank you very much, by the way, for all the briefs that were submitted by the witnesses who are appearing today. They are very helpful.
Mr. Backé, I want to come back to you. In your brief, you talked about the Kenyan choke point and the issues that are facing people after they have fled. Can you elaborate a bit more on that for us, please?
President, Reaching Out Assisting Refugees
Are you interested in knowing what the issues are after people flee?