Talking HIV and Human Rights

UYAPO NDADI | Thursday May 23, 2013 00:00

BONELA aggressively lobbied Members of Parliament to reject the bill for lack of consultation with Batswana and relevant stakeholders.More chiefly, BONELA raised concerns on the contents, particularly because they went against well established doctor-patient ethical and legal principles of patient's autonomy and confidentiality.

Furthermore the provisions are in their nature discriminatory and take away ones freedom of movement.Members of Parliament, across the political divide, argued against passing of the bill. MPs Raletobana, Kwelagobe and Gaborone, all from the ruling party stood out for me. They passionately argued against the bill. However, as politics would have it, it being a game of numbers as opposed to principle, the bill passed. I was not surprised.

The speed at which the Minister of Health pushed it was telling. Luckily, and unfortunately for him, BONELA forced him to slam the brakes by equipping MPs with empowering information, but only temporarily, now that the Bill is passed.

On the 5th April 2013, BONELA appealed to His Excellency, the President, Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, to return the Public Health Bill back to Parliament for further review and possible amendments for it is only him with constitutional powers to intervene. As an advocacy organisation and further that the matter is a public interest matter, BONELA informed its stakeholders of the fact that it has appealed to the Lieutenant General, in the belief that he will soldier our concerns and do something. We know him to be a brave and courageous type of person not to shy away from making unpopular decisions for as long as he believes in them.

Much to my extreme disappointment and shock, my President in his infinite wisdom, found publication of the fact that he is our saviour from the draconian bill offensive. I found that to be either a sign of intolerance or not wanting to be held accountable.

I mean what is the harm in letting the nation know that a matter of such grave importance, which has tremendous human rights consequences, has been placed before the President to intervene. What prejudice, if any, did his office suffer as a result?  This is more so that the issues raised in the letter to the President are common knowledge as they have been widely and thoroughly debated and as a result do not qualify as classified or novel.

Is my President turning away BONELA or not interested in issues that are for Batswana? Is the bill for BONELA or for all inhabitants of Batswana. Accountable, responsive and transparent offices will be happy to share what public interest matters  they are seized with.

Citizens who value the freedom of expression, which includes receiving information, will be happy to know the status of a public matter that has created debate locally and internationally. That in my view is participatory and accountable democracy that we should all thrive for and uphold without fear or favour. Secrecy breeds corruption and secrecy kills' objectivity. Openness grows institutions and builds public confidence.

I would have thought that the Presidency would be more responsive to this matter particularly that the National AIDS Council (NAC) has distanced itself from the bill. Contrary to what the Minister of Health said in Parliament about them being consulted, it turned out not to be so at the recent meeting in April. My President and of course the Vice President who was chairing NAC, ignored the misrepresentations. Are we an accountable nation? You be the judge.