"World Bank halts new loans to Uganda over anti-LGBTQ law"

" World Bank halts new loans to Uganda over anti-LGBTQ law \r\n\r\nThe World Bank has announced it will halt new loans to Uganda over the country\u2019s controversial anti-LGBTQ law.\r\n\r\nThe Washington, DC-based lender said on Tuesday it would pause project financing pending a review of measures it introduced to protect sexual and gender minorities from discrimination and exclusion in its projects.\r\n\r\n\u201cUganda\u2019s Anti-Homosexuality Act fundamentally contradicts the World Bank Group\u2019s values,\u201d the lender said in a statement.\r\n\r\n\u201cWe believe our vision to eradicate poverty on a livable planet can only succeed if it includes everyone irrespective of race, gender, or sexuality. This law undermines those efforts. Inclusion and non-discrimination sit at the heart of our work around the world.\u201d\r\n\r\nThe lender will also increase third-party monitoring and grievance redress mechanisms \u201callowing us to take corrective action as necessary,\u201d it said.\r\n\r\nThe World Bank Group said in May that the law was not consistent with the lender\u2019s values and that it was \u201chighly concerned\u201d about its adoption.\r\n\r\nWorld Bank President Ajay Banga, who took office in June, faced pressure to respond to the legislation, with 170 civic groups urging \u201cspecific, concrete and timely actions\u201d, including suspending future lending.\r\n\r\nHuman rights organisations have widely condemned the anti-LGBTQ law, which imposes capital punishment for \u201caggravated homosexuality,\u201d an offence that includes transmitting HIV through gay sex, and 20 years in prison for \u201cpromoting\u201d homosexuality.\r\n\r\nIn June, the US\u00a0 imposed travel restrictions on Ugandan officials \u00a0in response to the legislation, which was signed by President Ugandan Yoweri Museveni.\r\n\r\nMuseveni, who has referred to homosexuality as a psychological disorder, has rejected international criticism of the legislation, which he has defended as necessary to stop the LGBTQ community from trying to \u201crecruit\u201d people.\r\n\r\nIn its statement on Tuesday, the World Bank said it remained committed to providing assistance to Uganda despite its pause on financing.\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n\u201cThe World Bank Group has a longstanding and productive relationship with Uganda; and we remain committed to helping all Ugandans \u2013 without exception \u2013 escape poverty, access vital services, and improve their lives,\u201d the lender said.\r\n\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n "

"World Bank halts new loans to Uganda over anti-LGBTQ law"

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