According to the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), a joint statement issued by 140 Caribbean organisations, which say they represent thousands of CARICOM nationals, made reference to an April 11, 2014 CARICOM press release which indicated that the regional leaders will be presenting for endorsement, several actionable recommendations on eliminating HIV-related stigma and discrimination.
The recommendations were made following a regional HIV consultation earlier this year.
In the statement, the regional groups including churches, the Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society (JCHS), the Caribbean Centre for Family and Human Rights, Lawyers for Jesus and Advocate Caribbean, said the recommendations include repealing laws criminalising consensual sexual acts between adults and making sexual orientation a protected category for non-discrimination.
But Prime Minister Douglas, who has lead responsibility for health matters within the quasi-CARICOMCabinet, told (CMC) that he does not think that PANCAP was making any recommendation on issues such as same sex marriages.
He said following the consultations, a report will now go before the regional leaders “to ensure that they are briefed on what is happening and whether they are ready to support the declaration.”
The regional groups said they are “alarmed that the leaders of the Caribbean are pursuing a demonstrably illogical path which with regards to sexuality seeks to define normal without reference to design.”
In a June 24 letter to the regional leaders and the CARICOM Secretary General His Excellency Irwin La Rocque, the organisations called for transparency and accountability in the discussions leading up to the formulation of the recommendations.
“We urge CARICOM heads of government to place the health and well-being of our societies as their top priority,” the statement said, adding “we also urge these leaders to desist from endorsing any recommendation which will fundamentally re-order society in negative ways that could jeopardise the future of our children and our region.”
But Prime Minister Douglas said while many people may have taken the declaration out of context and that issues such as “same sex marriage have never come up.
“We are clearly speaking of the issue of reducing stigma and discrimination against persons who are associated with HIV/AIDS,” he said, adding that the intention also is to ensure that those affected with the virus do not go underground but are allowed to receive proper medication and support.
also see:
Continued oversight or deliberate overlooking of Jamaican SGL Women in HIV Prevention?New Efforts To Halt Spread Of HIV Among Gay Jamaica Men
Concerns for HIV prevalence rate in MSM in Jamaica & connected matters
Health Minister Ferguson on WAD '13 & FBOs fear of a Buggery repeal with future parachuted gay marriage rights
Incestuous messes, poor NGO monitoring & ever deepening mistrust about "gay rights"
Why did CVCC & JFJ not Fund a Project/Home for Homeless LGBT Youth in New Kingston instead of the Children’s Home Fiasco ...........
YOUNG MSM/TRANSGENDER WANT TO BE TREATED AS CITIZENS NOT POTENTIAL HIV/AIDS VICTIMS from March 2014
HIV and MSM community: Should we care? — Pt 2
Layered Stigma among Health Facility and Social Services Staff toward Most-at-Risk Populations in Jamaica
Big AIDS fight boost - Ja gets US$3.8 million from US$7-b fund
2007 MSM Study Reminder
New HIV infections rising in region, Unprotected straight, anal and bisexual intercourse blamed 2011
Review condom policy for prisoners
Continued oversight of same gender loving women in HIV response
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