Tanzania bans sexual lubricants to stop gay men from having sex

Tanzanian government has banned import and sale of sexual lubricants in a major crackdown on the country’s LGBT+ community to stop gay men from having sex and to curb the spread of HIV.

According to Health Minister Ummy Mwalimu, sexual lubricants encourage homosexuality, which is against the law in the east-African country and is punishable by life imprisonment. Mwalimu confirmed reports of the government banning the importation and use of the jelly to curb HIV spread.

Gay sex is a criminal offence in many commonwealth nations and Tanzania is one of them. Even though the law against homosexuality is not as strictly enforced in some other parts of east Africa, experts fear the situation is worsening rapidly.

Many gay men, who were open about their sexuality, stopped posting on the Internet after newly-appointed regional commissioner for the port city of Dar es Salaam, Paul Makonda, announced the crackdown and even arrested suspected gay men in clubs. Makonda has also threatened police action against those who follow gay men on social media.

As per Mwalimu, 23 percent of men who indulge in gay sex in Tanzania have HIV, writes Independent. Although, Mwalimu cited HIV spread as a major reason for the crackdown, he chose not to comment on the fact that the ban contradicts a UNAIDS recommendation. As per the recommendations, water-based lubricants are distributed with condoms to prevent HIV spread in high prevalence areas.

Previously, Human Rights Watch (HRW) had accused the police of going against human rights against Tanzania’s LGBT+ community and even accused them of sexually assaulting people, arresting and torturing them for days and even raping children as young as 12 years.

The HRW has also identified numerous cases of health workers turning away gays and lesbians, sex workers, transgender, bisexual and intersex people and even drug users. News of public humiliation of these people has also been reported.