UNAIDS Book Launch Triggers Controversy

By an IPS Correspondent Reprint | | Print |

UNITED NATIONS, Oct 21 2013 (IPS) - A planned book launch on HIV and human rights has been mired in controversy. The book is titled “Legal and Policy Perspectives on HIV and Human Rights in the Caribbean” and is co-edited by Sir George Alleyne and Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine.

UNAIDS, in partnership with PANCAP (Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS), is sponsoring the book launch at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago later this week.

A press release from AIDS-Free World, an international advocacy organization, said Monday there is no question the book will address the issue of high-risk groups, men who have sex with men in particular. And with that in mind, many gay men from around the Caribbean would wish to attend, and indeed, some of them have undoubtedly received invitations.

“We know this to be the case because one such invitation has recently been received by Maurice Tomlinson of AIDS-Free World”, a legal advisor to Marginalized Groups.

But neither Tomlinson nor any of his gay colleagues from outside Trinidad can attend because the immigration law of Trinidad and Tobago explicitly prohibits the entry of homosexuals, says the press release.

So offensive is the law that AIDS-Free World has filed suit in the Caribbean Court of Justice against the government of Trinidad and Tobago, demanding that the discriminatory provision be expunged.

The lawsuit is founded on three principles. First, the indisputable principle of human rights: it is indefensible to have people barred on the basis of sexual orientation.

Second, the principle of prevention of HIV/AIDS: it is well-established that laws which stigmatize and vilify homosexuals create a culture that drives men who have sex with men underground, away from testing, prevention, treatment and care.

Third, the principle of freedom of movement: it is a matter of law that every citizen of the Caribbean should have free access to any other country in the Caribbean.

“We would argue that the government of Trinidad and Tobago doesn’t have a leg to stand on. Why, then, would UNAIDS sponsor a book launch in Port of Spain?’, says the press release.

The UNAIDS publication, “The Status of HIV in the Caribbean” states: “Leadership is needed to … Remove punitive laws and diminish stigma and discrimination. Laws that perpetuate stigma and discrimination … and fuel the spread of HIV are not in the national interest.”

And there is also the ‘National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan, 2013-2018’ of the government of Trinidad and Tobago itself, which states: “Some of the existing laws of Trinidad and Tobago discriminate against MSM … Within this discriminatory environment, risk taking behavior among these most at risk groups is perpetuated, further contributing to the spread of HIV.”