The Equal Rights Coalition expresses grave concerns about the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 which further criminalizes LGBTI persons in Uganda. The Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 criminalizes same sex-relations with even broader and more draconian punishments for LGBTI conduct, including life imprisonment or death. In addition to criminalizing the “promotion of sexuality,” the law threatens LGBTI organizations engaged in human rights advocacy or engaged in health assistance programs, and criminalizes support to LGBTI organizations and those working on the human rights of LGBTI persons.
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Marco E.L. Mendicino, Minister of Public Safety, today issued the following statement:
“Canada is deeply concerned by Uganda’s assent of the 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act and firmly condemns its legislation. This Act is a blatant violation of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of LGBTQ+ Ugandans. It exposes them to systematic persecution, oppression, violence, including the possibility of life terms in prison and the death penalty.
On May 24, the Sanctions Coordinators for Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the services in charge of sanctions policy and implementation of the European Commission and the European External Action Service met to continue to assess and align ongoing efforts related to sanctions on Myanmar.
Global Affairs Canada today issued the following statement: “In light of what has been discussed between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the sidelines of the summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum in Bangkok on November 18, 2022, and the desire for both sides to restore diplomatic relations between the two countries on the basis of mutual respect and common interests; it has been decided to restore the level of diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia to its previous level.
Global Affairs Canada today issued the following statement:
“On May 16 and 17, 2023, Canada and the United States met in Kelowna, British Columbia, for the 17th round of negotiations to renew the Columbia River Treaty. Ratified by both countries in 1964, the Treaty provides for flood control measures and hydropower production. Negotiations to modernize the Treaty began in May 2018.
“Never before has the global landscape for 2SLGBTQI+ persons been so fluid and rapidly changing. Several countries have made meaningful progress in decriminalizing same-sex relations, prohibiting discrimination, penalizing hate crimes and recognizing transgender persons. However, legislative and policy setbacks have occurred in all regions of the world, and hatred and violence against 2SLGBTQI+ people occur far too often. Worldwide, 11 countries have jurisdictions in which the death penalty can be imposed for same-sex relations, and almost 70 countries criminalize people for their sexual orientation or gender identity.
“Canada has formally joined the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents, otherwise known as the Apostille Convention.
“Canada is deeply concerned by the escalation between Israel and Gaza and stands firmly with the Israeli and Palestinian peoples in their right to live in peace, security, with dignity and without fear.