Jamaica could face economic sanctions for anti-homosexual laws

By Garwin Davis, Staff Reporter

WESTERN BUREAU:

HUMAN RIGHTS advocate O'Hilaire Sobers has warned that Jamaica's hostility towards gays and its reluctance to repeal laws that discriminate against homosexuals could lead to an economic fallout with members of the international community.

According to human rights advocates, that may not be too far off as developed nations begin to consider human rights as a prerequisite to the issuing of grants to Caribbean islands. They see Britain's decision earlier this year to ask her existing colonies in the Caribbean to repeal their anti-homosexual laws as a prelude to the thinking in the international community.

The British colonies -- Anguilla, the Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Montserrat and the Turks and Caicos Islands -- were ordered by the British Government to decriminalise homosexual acts between consenting adults in private. Observers believe that this came about as a result of pressure from the European Union, which for years has been at the forefront advocating for gay rights.

Hostile

Jamaica, considered the most hostile nation in the Caribbean towards homosexuals, hands down stiff penalties for buggery and gross indecency.

"Jamaica could be left behind if it doesn't get its act together," warned Mr. Sobers, who is also an attorney-at-law. "For a country that depends so much on international aid we cannot continue on this road where we openly violate the rights of our citizens," he said.

Anonymity

A local tourism official, who requested anonymity, agreed with Mr. Sobers. According to him, Jamaica's hostile stance against homosexual visitors has been well documented in the international community and according to him, has not only had a negative impact on the industry, but was also a contributing factor to the present lull within the tourism industry.

"We may never want to admit this, but gay travellers account for a lot of our stopover visitors," said the tourism official. "They have been warned by the powerful gay rights organisations overseas against coming here and we can see that it has been affecting our numbers."

A few weeks ago, the United States Congress joined the fray, warning that the US. would not sit idly by and watch the "international persecution of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transsexuals by foreign governments."

The Congress introduced what it termed the International Human Rights Equality Resolution, where it "condemns all violations of internationally recognised human rights norms based on the real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity of an individual."

Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG) argues that the country could spare itself from seeming to bow to international pressure in the future by repealing laws relating to homosexuality.

In a recent presentation to the Joint Select Committee of Parliament, the group noted that "as a country that relies so heavily on international aid and trade, and prides itself on being a leader in the Caribbean, Jamaica should seek to be at the forefront as far as amending its laws to keep up with international trends are concerned."

Elsewhere

Checks by The Gleaner shows that a number of gay travel sites on the Internet warn travellers about Jamaica's hostile stance towards gays and have recommended that they go elsewhere for vacation.

However, Dr. Aileen Boxhill, director of legal reform in the Ministry of National Security and Justice, said that it was highly unlikely that the anti-homosexual laws would be repealed considering the current climate in the country. "This is not something which my department can do," she said. "That would have to come from Cabinet. It is sad that in this country even a child molester is looked upon more favourably than a homosexual," she added.

Back to News