Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Dec 17, 2008 News
United Nations Secretary General Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean, George A. O. Alleyne, believes that if the fight against HIV/AIDS is to be won the laws against buggery need to be repealed.
Alleyne noted that one of the most egregious manifestations of stigma in the Caribbean is the rampant homophobia which is buttressed by legislation in almost all the Caribbean countries that makes sex between consenting adult males a criminal act.
“The case of rights and freedoms is one in which there is continuous tension, not only between the religious and secular approaches but even within the secular organisations themselves.
“I have often queried how persons and institutions which espouse the rights and freedoms of those who are infected with HIV are uncomfortable in accepting the relevance of those freedoms universally.
“This is brought home to me most clearly in terms of the attitudes regarding men who have sex with men and homosexuality in general.” Sir George Alleyne noted at a Faith-based conference on HIV/AIDS recently.
He lamented that so strong is the moral judgment by religious groups against such practices that few public individuals have had the courage to raise openly the possibility of modifying the relevant laws.
“Few have dared to call for a repeal or modification of the laws against buggery, and we have had the recent example of a Minister of Health in a Caribbean country being excoriated because he dared to voice the opinion that such laws as exist are inimical to an adequate public health response to the epidemic.”
Sir George is adamant that the existence of these laws contributes to infected or potentially infected men not coming forward to be tested, and proposes that such laws be revised.
He advocates a civil debate about the extent to which both moral and public health considerations should be entertained with respect to these laws. “I am well aware of the moral arguments and the firmness with which these are put forward. I am reminded however that up to 200 years ago the traffic in human beings across the Atlantic was legal and sanctioned by many men of faith.
“It is so interesting to note from the distance of history how so much of that argument was a denial of the fundamental rights and freedoms which many quite properly affirm to be universal.
“It was moving for me to hear Dr.John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York, and the second highest ranking prelate in the Anglican Church, on the occasion of my award to him of an Honorary Degree by the University of the West Indies, publicly make apology for the role his church had played in the slave trade.”
Recently Prime Minister of St.Kitts/Nevis, Dr. Denzil Douglas, lead Prime Minister for Health in the Caribbean, called for an examination of the relevant Caribbean laws and the extent to which they favour the perpetuation of stigma and discrimination.
He asked that the issue be brought before the Caribbean Attorneys General.
“I know that it will take time for the considerable heat that surrounds this issue to be dissipated, but I hope the Faith-based organisations, the general public, the gay community and the political directorates will be able to engage in the kind of civil discourse and dialogue that can lead to a revision of the law.
“I stress civil, as in some places the rights of this minority have only been won as a result of activism that has not always been peaceful,” Sir George Alleyne said.
In Guyana and many countries of the Caribbean homosexuality is a crime punishable by law.
Among the population of men who have sex with men in Guyana, 21 percent of them have HIV as compared to 8.8 percent in the Bahamas.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
Mar 28, 2024
Minister Ramson challenge athletes to better last year’s performance By Rawle Toney Kaieteur Sports – Guyana’s 23-member contingent for the CARIFTA Games in Grenada is set to depart the...B.V. Police Station Kaieteur News – The Beterverwagting Police Station, East Coast Demerara (ECD) will be reconstructed... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – In the face of escalating global environmental challenges, water scarcity and... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]