As many would know criminalisation of LGBTI groups and prisons situations in Botswana have always been a hot potato that need to be tackled head on. Despite this, the government has always avoided the issue at any given opportunity despite an ambitious zero-tolerance for HIV/AIDS dream.
Recently Botswana abstained from voting on a United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution to appoint an independent expert to investigate worldwide violence and discrimination against the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community. The government reasoned that the country’s constitution did not condone violence against any person. Botswana just like most African states outlaws these groups’ rights despite calls from the international community to recognise them. A recent study by Afro Barometer found that the region is however warming up to homosexuality with Botswana estimated at around 40%. The donors and international community argue that it is not only the right thing to consider the issue from a human rights perspective, but also to consider other benefits like creating an enabling environment for treatment and prevention of further infections. Numerous studies, observations and presentations at the National Aids Council have always come to the conclusion that despite satisfactory progress on combating HIV/AIDS, there is still more to do particularly on these key population groups.
