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Publicerad söndag, 08 mars 2009 13:27

With this letter we want to submit an official protest to The Holy See for the attitude against condoms in HIV prevention that Pope Benedict XVI recently has pronounced.

To: Den apostoliske Nuntiatur

From: The 09 Network; an Alliance of Afrikagrupperna, Amnesty, Forum Syd, Kvinna till Kvinna, RFSL, RFSU and Svalorna Latinamerika, Sveriges Kvinnojourers Riksförbund

Date: 2009-03-30
On his way to his first papal visit to Africa the Pope is reported to have stated that the distribution of condoms can increase the problem of HIV. These words are a mockery to all people at risk of infection and those battling the disease. The message conveyed kills. Millions of lives are at stake. The Pope’s statement contradicts the recommendations of medical aid workers and experts. Condom distribution in combination with sexual education saves lives. The right to health is a fundamental human right; it includes the right to protect oneself from contracting HIV. The condom is a life-saving device: if used correctly it is highly effective in preventing HIV transmission, and is the best current method of HIV prevention for those who are sexually active and at risk.

We agree with Jon O'Brien, president of Catholics for Choice, in his response to Pope Benedict's statement on condom use: “For the Catholic hierarchy to deny the role that condoms play in preventing the further spread of HIV is irresponsible and dangerous. Not only that, the Catholic hierarchy has lobbied governments in the global North against the inclusion of funding for condoms in development aid programs. The result is to deny the poorest of the poor in the global south the chance of protecting themselves by using condoms.”

We appeal to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to consider the men, women and children who are at grave risk from the spread of HIV. We urge Pope Benedict to exercise care in his public statements, and refrain from undermining life-saving public education and AIDS prevention programs on the use of condoms.


Sincerely yours,
Gabi Björsson, Director Afrikagrupperna
Lise Bergh, Secretary General Amnesty International
Inger Björk, Secretary General Forum Syd
Lena Ag, Secretary General Kvinna till Kvinna
Sören Juvas, President RFSL - the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights
Åsa Regnér, Secretary General RFSU - the Swedish Association for Sexuality Education
Klas Hansson, Executive Director Svalorna Latinamerika
Carina Ohlsson, President Sveriges Kvinnojourers Riksförbund

The 09 Network was formed in 2007 and is an alliance of Afrikagrupperna, Amnesty International, Forum Syd, Kvinna till Kvinna, RFSL, RFSU, Svalorna Latinamerika, Sveriges Kvinnojourers riksförbund and RFSL Ungdom. We are working together to endorse the Swedish Government, during the Swedish Presidency of the EU in 2009, to highlight the EU’s role in protecting people’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), regardless of gender and sexual orientation, within and outside Europe.