Inter-American Commission on Human Rights Hears Petition Challenging Jamaica’s Homophobic Laws at Monday Hearing

In 2011, AIDS-Free World filed a petition before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) on behalf of two Jamaicans (a gay man and transgender woman) who had suffered extreme abuses because of the anti-sodomy law and the homophobia that it engenders, which exacerbates the HIV epidemic in the region. Due to security threats, both petitioners were forced to flee Jamaica and seek asylum abroad.

The Commission will hear the petition on Monday, November 11, alleging Jamaica is in breach of the American Convention on Human Rights. A positive decision from the IACHR following this hearing would be welcome news for activists working in Jamaica and the Caribbean to end the criminalization of LGBTQ people that has resulted in stigma, discrimination, violence (including murder), and continues to hamper the fight against HIV. Currently, HIV services are virtually inaccessible to the LGBTQ community due to the homophobia endemic to the public health sector.

WHAT:   The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights will hear a petition challenging Jamaica’s laws against sexual activity between consenting same-sex partners.

WHEN:   Monday, November 11, 2019. 11.30 a.m. EST

WHERE:   The hearings of the IACHR will be livestreamed here: http://www.oas.org/en/iachr/

WHO:      Petitioner A.B. (identity suppressed) was stoned by an angry mob in her home in Jamaica, resulting in her being kicked out to live in the streets at age 19. She was also sexually assaulted, beaten, and held hostage. She could not take a basic HIV test or access other health services at a free public clinic, where she was subject to hostile and unwelcoming treatment from health care workers meant to serve all Jamaicans. She is now living in the Netherlands where she was able to finally transition.

Petitioner S.H. (identity suppressed) was beaten, stoned, and mobbed when he was in Jamaica. Every time he went to the police to report the attacks the officers chased him away and blamed him for causing the abuse because he was "too gay." He is now living in the United States.

Sarah Bosha, Legal and Research Advisor, HIV and Human Rights at AIDS-Free World

Maurice Tomlinson, senior policy analyst at the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network

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Media contact:
Peter Duffy
Staff Writer
AIDS-Free World
Telephone: 917 648 6533
Email: pduffy@aidsfreeworld.org

Media contact:
Emma Riach
Communications and Campaigns Officer
Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network
Telephone: +1 416 595 1666 ext. 236
Email: eriach@aidslaw.ca