17.05.2019-BONELA On IDAHOT The President Of Botswana Dr EM Masisi Must Keep His Word
Today, 17th May 2019- The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA) joins the world to commemorate the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia under the theme “Justice and Protection for All”. This year’s theme is particularly relevant given the negative experiences faced by LGBTQ+ persons across the world. According to UNAIDS over 65 countries around the world criminalise same sex sexual conduct, with 8 imposing death penalty.
The Caster Semenya case is a clear example of how the policies and laws across the world fuel stigma and discrimination, and can be used as a tool for social and economic exclusion, thus violating fundamental human rights.
In 2017, Botswana conducted a legal environmental assessment which confirmed that homosexuality itself is not illegal in Botswana. However, consensual sexual conduct between adults of the same sex is a criminal offense. Sections 164, 165 and 167 of the Penal Code prohibit “unnatural offenses” and “indecent practices.” Section 164 makes “carnal knowledge against the order of nature” a criminal offence and punishable with up to a seven year prison term.
The Botswana Court of Appeal has defined “carnal knowledge against the order of nature” as anal sex and both parties committing such acts can be held criminally liable. Section 165 criminalises attempts to commit the same offences and are punishable with up to five years of prison. Section 167 criminalises “indecent practices between persons,” defined as “acts of gross indecency” or procuring or attempting to procure another person to engage in “acts of gross indecency” whether in public or private.[1]
The Legal environment assessment also revealed that gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with other men, transgender persons, are socially marginalised, often criminalised and face a range of human rights abuses that increase their vulnerability to HIV.
Given this context, this year’s IDAHOT theme calls on all people, individually and collectively to make concerted effort to protect, promote and fulfil the rights of LGBTQ+ persons. A call that was expressed by the President of the Republic of Botswana, Dr Eric Mogweetsi Masisi. BONELA remains hopeful that the President’s call will translate into progressive policies that endeavour to promote, protect and fulfil the rights of the LGBTQ+ community under his leadership.
The theme also calls on all Batswana to ensure safety and security of the LGBTQ+ persons in and around their communities. This also requires increased efforts to ensure access to justice including legal representation and places of safety in cases of violations.
The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS; is a human rights organisation whose vision is to make the right to health a reality in Botswana. In pursuit of this vision, BONELA advocates for inclusive laws and policies that guarantee full access to health services by lesbians, gays, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons; by addressing HIV, stigma, discrimination and gender based violence.
For more information contact BONELA on:
+267 393 2516 or follow BONELA on Twitter on @bonelaethics and like our Facebook Page BONELA
[1] Government of Botswana (1998) Penal Code, Section 167.