Black Immigrant Daily News

Geneva, July 7, 2022— UNAIDS applauds the ruling of the Antigua and Barbuda High Court of Justice that effectively decriminalises consensual same-sex sexual activity by holding that sections 12 and 15 of the Caribbean country’s 1995 Sexual Offences Act are unconstitutional. The court held that the criminalisation of consensual sexual acts between same-sex, adult partners infringes the rights to liberty, legal protection, freedom of expression, privacy and protection from discrimination based on sex. This ruling is an important step toward creating a more equitable context for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Antigua and Barbuda to exercise their rights to dignity, justice and health.

“This ruling will save lives and will help advance the end of AIDS. It will benefit everyone in the country, and will inspire countries across the world to take the same vital step forward for health and human rights. By creating a more supportive legal environment we can accelerate progress around reducing stigma and discrimination and ensuring everyone can enjoy lives free of fear, shame and injustice,” said UNAIDS Executive Director, Winnie Byanyima. “We congratulate the courageous litigants, civil society organizations and their legal team who have earned this landmark win for equality in Antigua and Barbuda.”

The case was brought by Mr Orden David, President of  Meeting Emotional and Social Needs Holistically (MESH), an organization serving the LGBT community and  Women against Rape (WAR)—a group that provides counselling and psychosocial support to gender-based violence survivors as well as marginalized and vulnerable groups.

They argued that the criminalization of same-sex sexual relations contributed to hostile healthcare settings where LGBT people often faced verbal abuse and confidentiality breaches. Among other things, this blocked their access to HIV testing, treatment and follow-up care.

“I have seen first-hand the pain, frustration and anger that the LGBT community experiences when trying to access services,” said Ms Alexandrina Wong, WAR’s Executive Director. “This judgment… is saying to us that changes must be made to ensure that human rights are assured, and discrimination is eliminated in time.”

“This is a clear statement that we must stop the stigma and discrimination against our community, and we will continue to support each other and advocate for our rights,” Mr David said.

Criminal laws drive and sustain public health inequalities. They legitimize stigma, discrimination and violence against LGBT people, increasing their risk of contracting HIV while reducing access to life-saving care. Gay men and other men who have sex with men who live in countries that criminalize same-sex relations are more than twice as likely to be living with HIV as those living in countries without such penalties. In countries with extreme criminal penalties, this increases to more than five times as likely

This case was part of an initiative spearheaded by the Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality (ECADE). In 2020 ECADE also launched legal challenges to similar laws in four other countries: Barbados, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis and St. Lucia.

“Our government has sworn to uphold the rights of all, and this action tells us we are on the right road,” said Kenita Placide, ECADE’s Executive Director. She acknowledged the state attorneys who supported the final position.

In the Caribbean, strategic litigation is emerging as an effective strategy for challenging punitive, colonial-era laws. There were successful challenges of laws discriminating against LGBT people in Belize in 2016 as well as Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago in 2018.

“The marginalization and criminalization of entire communities are fuelling the Caribbean HIV epidemic,” said Luisa Cabal, UNAIDS Regional Support Team Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. “This decision shows that change is possible and UNAIDS remains committed to support law reform in the region.” She emphasized that judicial review is a key component of a broader approach that includes national dialogue around social justice and equity, as well as the deepened engagement of policymakers and health professionals.

UNAIDS is contributing to community conversations around these issues, including by supporting public forums and sensitizing journalists reporting on key population communities and law reform in the region.

Consensual same-sex sexual relations remain criminalized in more than 60 countries globally, including seven in the Caribbean.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

Opposition Leader Norton’s using his legal myrmidon to wage a rearguard action against President Ali’s appointment of Hicken as Commissioner of Police. He forgets that this particular myrmidon just happens to be the protége of the man he threw out as Opposition Leader, and it’s quite possible that he might be getting set up for a fall!! Of which the same myrmidon might very well be chosen to take his place!! Ah…the intrigues of polititricks!!
Norton’s been joined by several other worthies from the Opposition camp to challenge the appointment. HIS argument started out with: “…the Public Service Rule state that acting appointments must be given to the most senior officer. Based on the current structure and line of statutory succession, Deputy Police Commissioner Paul Williams remains the next in line. Mr Clifton Hicken is an Assistant Commissioner, and therefore is junior in rank to Williams.”

Problem is, when Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud retired, the most senior officer in the GPF was David Ramnarine, followed by Clifton Hicken. Then President Granger bypassed these two officers and appointed four Deputy Commissioners – including Paul Williams – and a Commissioner, Leslie James; ALL of whom were juniors to Ramnarine and Hicken. Hicken had therefore been wrongfully pipped by Williams, and President Ali was merely rectifying a historic wrong!!

Granger justified his appointment of Leslie James as COP – while overlooking Ramnarine, who had acted in that capacity for several months – thusly: “I relied very heavily on the advice I got from the PSC, so as far as the selection process is concerned, I can justify my decisions, and I am sure the Chairman of the Commission can also justify his recommendations.” The Chairman of the PSC just happened (!!) to be Paul Slowe, whom he had just appointed!! As usual, the Sanctimonious Gangster just loved to advise HIMSELF!!
But President Ali’s authority was affirmed by no other than another Police Critic, former Asst Commissioner of Police Clinton Conway, recently: “The appointment of Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners of Police is the sole authority of the President. Art 211 (1) of the Constitution of Guyana states, ‘The Commissioner of Police and every Deputy Commissioner of Police shall be appointed by the President acting after meaningful consultation with the Leader of the Opposition and Chairperson of the Police Service Commission after the Chairperson has consulted with other members of the Commission.”

It is pellucid that the President does not have to get agreement with anyone, including the Police Service Commission, to appoint a Commissioner of Police or Deputy Commissioners.” (!!)
So, the other tact taken by Norton has been to challenge the legitimacy of the Public Service Commission.
He “tryin’ another t’ing”!!!

…on Roads

There’s the old cliché “a picture is worth a thousand words”. But the pic in one of the dailies of the roads in Tuschen was actually worth a book. A book that exposes the dangerous lies that some Opposition social media miscreants (SMM) are spreading to “undermine” the Government – but in the process are ripping our country apart. Right after the PM took that band of Ministers to listen to the problems of their community, the SMM were giving it their (divisive) spin. “Only African village streets are so decrepit, and it’s because the illegal PPP cabal want Afro Guyanese “at the bottom of the ladder”!!

But the pic of Tuschen’s streets shows a scene of even more desolation and neglect – and the interviews that accompanied it revealed a tale of such official indifference as to be criminal. And a Govt Minister lives there?? The point, of course, is that Tuschen has a majority of Indo-Guyanese.
So, if anything, it showed the PPP to be an equal-opportunity discriminator!!

…Uitvlugt Sugar Factory

The mechanical breakdown caused by a damaged gear forced the Uitvlugt factory’s closure since March. The question when it gets going again is whether it’ll be able to produce sugar at a competitive price!!
Never did…never will!!

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Black Immigrant Daily News

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Senior and supervisory staff assigned to the Home Care Program of the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund are now better equipped to deliver on critical aspects of the Program.

This initiative emanates from the Ministry of Equity’s continuous improvement drive
for improved service delivery.

The training has enabled participants to improve their skillset and has also assisted them to better understand and appreciate their roles as Senior Home Care Givers and Supervisors.

Key areas of focus included, but not limited to: Needs of Clients and how to respond to those needs; monitoring and assessment of caregivers’ performance; effective supervision; keeping caregivers motivated, and building and managing relationship between staff and clients.

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The latest capacity building workshop, which was held for five (5) days during the month of June 2022, formed part of a continuous training program that seeks to enhance the competencies of those integrally involved in the delivery of the Home Care Service, with the ultimate aim of quality service delivery.

“It was an informative workshop, with tutors focusing on the core skillset needed to execute our duties professionally,” remarked Home Care Regional Supervisor Jenel Felicien.
Similar sentiments were expressed by colleague Tamara St. Aimee who oversees the Vieux Fort Northern Region of the Program – “The workshop has given me the confidence and ability to be an effective supervisor. It equipped me with skills to cope with various situations, evaluate human behavior, and build on self-esteem and self-respect which in my view are genuine accomplishments.”

The training, hosted during the month of June, and financed via the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF), culminates with a Certificate Handing Over Ceremony on Wednesday 6th July, 2022 at the National Skills Development Centre (NSDC).

Source: Ministry of Equity, Social Justice & Empowerment

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Black Immigrant Daily News

El ex primer ministro japonés Shinzo Abe, quien fue baleado durante un discurso de campaña, murió en un hospital de la ciudad de Kashihara, prefectura de Nara, donde había sido trasladado tras el ataque,según informó hoy el Partido Liberal Democrático (PLD), citado por medios locales.

安倍晋三　銃撃事件
メディアもカットしてる2発目の映像！倒れた瞬間の映像！
日本SPの失態映像 pic.twitter.com/QnCb98bVU8

— バナナマン (@C5uH5ve0GvUci79) July 8, 2022

Tras el atentado, Abe, de 67 años, se encontraba en estado de paro cardiopulmonar y no mostraba signos vitales. En el hospital le practicaron una transfusión de sangre.

De acuerdo con la Policía local, el atacante usó un arma de fabricación casera para disparar en dos ocasiones contra exlíder del país nipón, tras lo cual fue detenido en el lugar de los hechos bajo sospecha de intento de asesinato.

El tirador, identificado como Yamagami Tetsuya y que anteriormente había servido en las Fuerzas de Autodefensa de Japón, afirmó en sus declaraciones a la Policía que estaba descontento con el político y que pretendía matarlo. Después de entrevistar al sospechoso, la Policía llevó a cabo un registro en su apartamento en la prefectura de Nara, donde se hallaron explosivos.

En las redes sociales enseguida aparecieron videos mostrando el momento exacto del incidente. En las imágenes se ve a Abe desplomarse sobre la calle y a varios guardias de seguridad correr hacia él.

NEW: Video showing the alleged assassin of Japan’s Ex-PM being carried away by security forces pic.twitter.com/q91ajUiL8M

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) July 8, 2022

El exlíder del país se agarraba el pecho al caer y tenía la camisa empapada de sangre. Según detalló la Policía, Abe recibió disparos en el cuello.

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En 2006, Abe se convirtió en el primer ministro más joven de Japón a la edad de 52 años, pero al año siguiente tuvo que renunciar por una enfermedad crónica, la colitis ulcerosa. Tras superarla, regresó al poder en 2012, sin embargo, dimitió en 2020 por la misma afección. Así, el exlíder de la nación fue el mandatario que más tiempo ha ocupado ese cargo en la historia del país asiático.

Reacciones

Luego de darse a conocer la tragedia, muchos políticos condenaron el hecho y compartieron mensajes de condolencia a la familia del exlíder nipón.

El presidente del Consejo Europeo, Charles Michel, afirmó estar “conmocionado” ante “el cobarde ataque” al exmandatario nipón. “Un verdadero amigo, feroz defensor del orden multilateral y de los valores democráticos. La Unión Europea está con el pueblo de Japón y Fumio Kishida en estos momentos difíciles”, expresó.

El Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores de Rusia, por su parte, calificó lo ocurrido como “un acto de terrorismo” y también expresó sus condolencias. “Estamos convencidos de que quienes planearon y cometieron este monstruoso crimen asumirán la debida responsabilidad”, señaló la vocera de la Cancillería, María Zajárova, agregando que Abe es “un político excepcional que ha hecho una contribución inestimable al desarrollo de las relaciones ruso-japonesas”.

Noticia original de RT en Español. 

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