Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he plans to take to protest the Tanzanian government’s recent steps against gay citizens; and if he will make a statement.

I am concerned by reports of threats against the LGBT community in Tanzania. The British High Commission, alongside international partners, carried out a demarche on the Tanzanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 2 November, urging the authorities to respect human rights and protect all citizens from discrimination. I welcome the Government of Tanzania's statement on 4 November making clear that such threats do not represent government policy, and that it will protect human rights as enshrined in the country's constitution. We must all reject language that invites violence against any group in society.