Joint answer given by Vice-President Mogherini on behalf of the European Commission
Written questions: E-005948/18 , E-005947/18
18.2.2019
The EU follows very closely the situation of human rights in Tanzania. In the Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU issued on 15 November 2018, the EU expressed its deep concern about the deteriorating situation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons in Tanzania.
The EU Delegation is now managed by a chargé d'affaires a.i. and its team remains fully operational. A comprehensive review of EU-Tanzania relations is under way and will encompass all EU policies in the country, including human rights. At this stage, the EU does not envisage to impose sanctions on Tanzania.
The EU Delegation in Tanzania closely monitors the situation through its contacts with local Non-Governmental Organisations and implements the following actions: Provide LGBTI and human rights defenders with safe space to meet and network; participate in regular meetings of the group of donor partners who support LGBTI and human rights defenders organisations; share information on possible support via the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights emergency grants and other funding possibilities and redirect requests for support to relevant services of the European Commission; publish and share information via local/regional networks about the EUR 22 million global call for proposals ‘EuropeAid/161054/DH/ACT: lot 1: support to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex and human rights defenders and their organisations working in areas where Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex persons are most at risk of discrimination’[1]; and raise concerns during bilateral or multilateral political dialogue with the Tanzanian Government.
- [1] https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/nigeria/53664/european-instrument-democracy-and-human-rights-eidhr-2018-global-call-proposals-publication_en