Question Period Note: Anti-LGBTQ2I Actions by the Government of Tanzania

The Govt of Tanzania continues discriminatory actions against the LGBTQ2I community, including arresting its members and disrupting meetings of NGOs working with the LGBTQ2I community.

• Canada believes the human rights of all persons to be universal and indivisible. These include the human rights of LGBTQ2I persons.
• Canada monitors the situation closely and works with local LGBTQ2I communities and human rights defenders to encourage Tanzania to uphold the human rights of all individuals, including the human rights of members of the LGBTQ2I community.
• Canada continues to champion respect for diversity, inclusion and human rights-- including the rights of LGBTQ2I persons-at both bilateral and multilateral levels, including through the Equal Rights Coalition.
• While Canada recognizes that countries vary in terms of their understanding, acceptance and protection of LGBTQ2I rights, we work constructively with all countries to ensure the rights of all individuals are respected and protected.

While historically having a good reputation on human rights, particularly in comparison with some of its neighbours, the Government of Tanzania is drawing growing international criticism for its performance in the areas of democracy and human rights, notably with respect to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, 2-spirit and intersex (LGBTQ2I) community. Tanzanian police have arrested several LGBTQ2I persons and human rights defenders. In detention, they are often subjected to torture and mistreatment. Sex between men is illegal in Tanzania. Since July 2016, the Government of Tanzania has issued increasingly harsh statements and taken discriminatory actions targeting the LGBTQ2I community.

Tanzanian officials have reiterated that homosexuality is against Tanzanian culture and law, and alleged that there is a Western agenda to promote homosexuality and impose gay marriage. This view is broadly held by the Tanzanian population and discrimination against LGBTQ2I persons is widespread nationally.

Tanzania is one of the largest recipients of Canadian development assistance worldwide, receiving $132.78 million in 2018-19.

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