Chairperson, Chapter 2 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996, provides for the Bill of Rights that sets out the fundamental rights of all South Africans, including the right to dignity and the right to equality. This Bill of Rights is a cornerstone of our democracy and individual rights. It enshrines that the rights of all people in our country and affirms the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom. Furthermore, section 9 (3) of the Bill of Rights refers to equality and provides as follows:

The state may not unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on one or more grounds, including race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language and birth.

Not withstanding our constitutional provision. The hon member should note that our laws should not be in violation of international law that we are signatories to. Under international law, the sovereignty of the state and the right to exercise their independence including their own laws without the interference of other states it guaranteed. In this regard, our government upholds the international

principle of non interference in the internal affairs of other states. South Africa only intervenes in situation where parties in conflict officially, request our assistance or intervention.

Similarly, South Africa respects the sovereignty of the republic of Uganda and any other nation. In cases where our positions, our values and approaches are in conflict with those of other countries, South Africa is of the view that such matters are best resolved at multilateral forums as provided for by our international conventions. In light with our constitutional provision, we condemn any form of Human Rights violation and abuses, especially when it's perpetrated by any state, including those directed to lesbians, gays and transgender persons, otherwise known as