The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, warns of setbacks in the fight against HIV and Aids in Africa. Worldwide protests against the anti-gay judgement from the EU to Madonna.
The Sentencing of a gay couple in Malawi to 14 years in prison and forced labour could have a serious impact on HIV prevention in Africa. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, told media representatives on Friday that she feared "disastrous effects": The judgement against Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjezaam would lead to a large part of the region's homosexual life being completely relegated underground again. This would again make it impossible to address those affected with prevention measures or to care for those infected. This would torpedo the painstaking progress made in Malawi's fight against the spread of the virus.
"I am shocked and outraged by the sentencing and the treatment that Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga have received in detention. The protection of people against discrimination is a key concern of international human rights law. Why should homosexuals be excluded from this?" said the South African Pillay.
The UN is thus joining the worldwide protests against the judgement. The EU, the President of the USA, the British government and Madonna, among others, had previously protested against the judgement. The singer, who has adopted two children from Malawi, published a petition on her website. Tens of thousands have signed since Friday.
Alan Smith, the head of the British STOP AIDS Campaign supported by Desmond Tutu and Bill Clinton, published a statement in today's edition of the British daily newspaper "The Guardian":
"The protection of human rights is the basis for equal and fair development. It must be a natural part of the fight against the spread of HIV and AIDS in Africa. The eyes of the world are questioning the government of Malawi. We have written to the Malawi High Court asking them to express their government's willingness to respect the Human Rights Charter and thus participate in an effective response to HIV. To do this, the two men must be released and laws that are contrary to human rights must be abolished. We call for the fight against homophobia in Malawi and for an open and honest dialogue about the impact of discrimination against entire communities on Africa's AIDS response. These groups include men who have sex with men, as well as drug users and sex workers."
(Paul Schulz)
