World Bank stops new loans to Uganda over anti-LGBTQ
The World Bank has announced it will halt new loans to Uganda over the country’s controversial anti-gay law.
The Washington, DC-based lender said 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.
“Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act fundamentally contradicts the World Bank Group’s values. We 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.”
The lender will also increase third-party monitoring and grievance redress mechanisms “allowing us to take corrective action as necessary,” it said.
The World Bank Group said in May that the law was not consistent with the lender’s values and that it was “highly concerned” about its adoption.
Source: Aljazeera
