Aug 11, 2015, http://www.newzimbabwe.com/news-24213-Gays+not+to+blame+for+prison+HIV+rise,+GALZ/news.aspx
GAYS and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) says the issue of HIV and AIDS in prisons has nothing to do with homosexuality but a “practical health rights issue” which needs government’s commitment.
GALZ was responding to the Minister of Health and Child Care Dr David Parirenyatwa’s recent statements that the rise in HIV prevalence in Prisons to 28% was because of homosexual activities happening in the country’s crowded jails.
Parirenyatwa said government was going to engage with partners in the health sector and open up debate on homosexuality in prisons in order to serve lives.
“This isn’t a homosexual issue,” GALZ director, Chesterfield Samba, told NewZimbabwe.com in Harare Tuesday.
“It’s a practical health based human rights issue that needs attention to protect the health of both those who are incarcerated as well as people on the other side of the prison walls,” .
Samba suggested that long periods of detention in terrible prison conditions cause males to engage in sexual activities dismissing the fact that all those who do that are homosexuals.
“Prison culture encourages men to have sex with men, if not necessitating it, and you will often find agreed or victim type of relationships.
“The mere existence of sexual relationships between inmates who do not identify as homosexual or bisexual is powerful testimony to men’s need for and ability to create intimacy when faced with factors such as confinement for longer periods,” said Samba.
He however welcomed minister Parirenyatwa’s attitude towards opening a debate on homosexuality, saying the move will improve public health and attitudes.
“By not making condoms unavailable and by not acknowledging that men have sex with men in prison, the government and prison authorities are encouraging the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS and putting pressure on the national health budget.
“Not providing condoms to prisoners has serious implications that when prisoners are eventually released and come back into society to wives and girlfriends they may infect healthy partners and thus spread HIV,” Samba said.
The GALZ director added overcrowding in prisons was also worsening the conditions of inmates living with HIV and those infected with TB.
“The Justice ministry should improve the conditions of the country’s prison system and address overcrowding in these facilities to ensure that prisoners are not exposed to other infections such as Tuberculosis.”
özel ihtiyaçları olan mahpuslar / prisoners with special needs 