GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC:
THE GUYANESE Government is planning to change a number of local laws which will make homosexuality and prostitution legal and permit the free distribution of condoms in prisons.
Health Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, in outlining the government's proposed package of legal reforms, said the administration would pursue "decriminalisation of certain behaviour such as homosexuality and commercial sex". Dr. Ramsammy said the Bharrat Jagdeo administration would also move to "prohibit pre-employment (HIV/AIDS) testing" as a policy at work places, and to regulate the prostitution industry here.
In his 17-point proposal, he outlined as the government's legislative agenda, the health minister said "the laws and policies that we want to legislate ... need to address stigma and the social risks of testing; anonymity and confidential testing; and recognising that there are vulnerable groups such as women, children, indigenous populations, prisoners, commercial sex workers and MSM (men who have sex with men)."
CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES
He said legislators would also be looking at HIV as a reportable disease; partner notification policies; protection against harassment; discrimination because of association, and criminalisation of HIV transmission and or exposure "including dealing with special circumstances such as rape and wilful transmission of HIV".
Many of the controversial measures on the government's legislative reform proposal are expected to meet with stiff national opposition especially from the major religious bodies here.
Dr. Ramsammy is said to be canvassing support from the powerful Guyana Council of Churches (GCC) and has reportedly asked the body to give him "a pass on this" a leading GCC has said.
In an address to a function at the Guyana-based Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat on Monday, Dr. Ramsammy said it was necessary to act quickly on the legal reform measures.
"We must act with a sense of urgency and yet be careful that the human rights of all citizens are protected. Any legal framework must of necessity make adequate provision for the protection of people living with HIV/AIDS," he added.
