Rwanda denies plan for involuntary sterilization of disabled
July 1st, 2009From the BBC, Agence France Presse:
An international rights advocacy group Wednesday urged Rwanda to revise a draft law that it said would require the sterilization of all people with intellectual disabilities.
Human Rights Watch health and human rights director Joe Amon also charged that the measure would introduce compulsory HIV testing.
“Provisions in the current bill that increase stigma, rely on coercion, and deny individuals their reproductive rights should be removed,” he said.
Forced sterilisation is regarded as a crime against humanity by the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
Rwanda strongly denied that the parliament is considering forcible sterilization, and said plans for HIV testing before marriage are strictly voluntary, not compulsory.

