Govt probes sexual behaviour in prisons
Tuesday, February 03, 2015

Probed: Govt says the study will inform future decisions
The survey comes after years of lobbying by rights advocates who have been asking government to provide condoms to prisoners and recognise that homosexual relationships are taking place behind bars.
Government’s official line has been that homosexuality is illegal and therefore cannot be facilitated, although senior officials have appeared to warm to the idea in recent times.
While every citizen, including the Head of State, has the right to voice opinions, the tone and context of the President’s comments were regrettably dismissive and risk chilling free expression in our country. The remarks are not isolated. They form part of a disturbing pattern of public attacks on independent institutions pillars essential to the healthy functioning of our democracy. The Judiciary, the Legislature, and now the media have all...