Citizenship and Immigration committee  Thank you very much. I don't know if this is my time yet. Maybe I will have to wait.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Thank you for this opportunity that is given to me and Rainbow Heritage Initiative, which is an organization for LGBTI refugees and asylum seekers here in Uganda. For security reasons, I prefer to be called Witness 1 in this conference room. I'm going to share some challenges w

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I was referring to the specific example surrounding Scott Lively's arrival in Uganda, in 2009. After he left, laws were enacted to condemn homosexuality. That is when LGBT persons started having a lot of problems. So we asked Canada to appeal to the United States to take steps t

Citizenship and Immigration committee  My colleague will answer, but I might want to clarify some things after.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Yes. I wanted to add that we are presenting our grievances to Canada because you have compassion for us. To get back to your question, Scandinavian countries such as Sweden, Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands show they are compassionate. It is not a question of friendship, bu

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Currently the penalty is death, in cases when they find you in action. They can raise their allegations, which we are always victims of, because even if you are moving or based on how you're putting on your clothes, there are so many reasons they can put you in trouble. I am very

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Yes, by the government, by mob justice, or by the police. It can be anyone because this is like sensitization or mobilization of the population, the police, and everyone in the country.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I would like to add something, if I may. In terms of the steps in the process, first the person has to go to the police, then to the prime minister's office, or meet with police officers. A person who is finally granted refugee status is no longer considered an asylum seeker. It

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I want to add that there have been bilateral meetings between the prime minister's office and the HCR. The organization Interaid also took part in those meetings recently as an implementation partner, but there have been no tangible results. The HCR bravely shows its willingness

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Thank you very much, Ms. Kwan. It is very difficult for us because we are doubly victimized. Uganda is a very conservative country that focuses a great deal on culture. I do not know how to explain it. Perhaps Ms. Kadaga is hurting us to appeal to voters, or so she can do whatev

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Thank you very much. That is right. That is what we want above all else. On July 12, we had a meeting with officials from the Protection Desk Uganda. For a long time, I have been asking for LGBT persons to be treated as persons with specific needs. Why? Because LGBT people are r

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I would like to add something. One of our members made statements to the media. She works with Rainbow Railroad, and I would like to thank Rainbow Railroad very much. I helped her during that process, but it took us some time to get involved. From time to time, she has problems

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I would like to add a suggestion. LGBT refugees who have documents are assisted by the HCR and other humanitarian agencies. But who helps the people who have no documents, those without papers? You can think of them. If it does not work with the HCR and the government, perhaps y

Citizenship and Immigration committee  That was over eight years ago. I have lived here since August 2010.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  On behalf of our homeland, thank you very much. The secretary general of the International Organization of La Francophonie, or OIF, comes from our country. This will be discussed and perhaps people will think of LGBT people. It is not our fault for being what we are; it is how w