After their conference material had been confiscated by the homophobic Zimbabwe government at the weekend, Gays, Lesibians,Trans-gender and people who use drugs from the African continent attending the ICASA conference in Harare on Monday petitioned President Robert Mugabe as the African Union chairperson to respect their rights.
Below is the full communiqué which the key populations wrote.
We, the undersigned African communities of people living with HIV, men who have sex with men, sex workers, people who use drugs, trans-diverse persons in all our diversity in sexual orientation, gender identity and expression.
Concerned by the growing prevalence of HIV infections and AIDS-related death among key populations, including young and adolescent key populations .
Also concerned by the legislative, policy and social frameworks that deny legal gender recognition, perpetuate violence, stigma, discrimination and exclusion of key populations services, including healthcare and HIV-related servicesFurther concerned by the refusal to acknowledge the resilience and the immense contribution of key population communities and initiatives within the HIV response
Appalled by an evolving development agenda that is not people-centred; that deprioritises the human rights, access to justice and the health needs of key populations and other marginalized groups Condemn the continued violence, stigma, discrimination, and laws that criminalize key populations and exclude us from accessing information, justice and health services.
Condemn health systems that are hostile to key populations; that are used to arrest and detain us and violate and objectify our bodies and subject us to cruel and degrading treatment.
Also condemn the lack of investment, particularly domestic investment in key populations in the HIV response Condemn political statements, declarations, strategies, and national plans that include key populations as a token without any commitment and investment in meeting our needs
Further condemn continuing exclusion from programs and interventions with the excuse that ‘they are invisible’, ’there is no evidence’ and ‘they lack capacity’
Hereby demand urgent action and investment to address increasing HIV infections and aids related death among key populations including young and adolescent Key Populations
Demand investment in community systems, as well as the resourcing, strengthening, upscaling and integration of community-led interventions.
Demand the involvement of key populations in planning, design, implementation and monitoring of strategies, policies, plans, and programmes .
Demand genuine partnership in research in an equitable, dignifying and beneficial manner that guarantees community ownership
Demand that healthcare providers abide by the Hippocratic oath by delivering quality, appropriate,non-discriminatory services , that respect confidentiality and the needs and choices of the individual.
Demand that the contribution of communities of key populations in the HIV response be acknowledged, valued and adequately remunerated.
Demand explicit targets, indicators and investments be made in the development agenda that prioritises human rights and health needs of key populations and other marginalized groups.
Demand appropriate allocation of funding, particularly domestic funding, and other resources be made to communities of key populations and key population-led initiatives;
We call on HIV, human rights organisations, broader civil society and other stakeholders to demonstrate and stand in solidarity with and demand accountability and investment in key populations communities and key population-led initiatives in order to achieve the end of AIDS.
As communities key populations, in order to advance the HIV response, we commit to organise and operate with professionalism and transparency; continue to work in solidarity with each other and other marginalised and vulnerable groups including youth and adolescents living with HIV, women and girls, people with disabilities, migrants and displaced peoples; mobilise and organise our communities; support our communities including those of us living with HIV; and
We also collaborate with government and other relevant stakeholders; educate and sensitize government, other relevant stakeholders and our peers; be present and committed in the forefront of interventions; hold ourselves, governments, and stakeholders.
CIO Attacks:Gays Petition Mugabe
30 November 2015