World Bank halts new loans over anti-LGBTQ law. Right decision or hypocrisy?

[JeromeTash]

I just came across a new article on Aljazeera where the World Bank decided to pause new loans to Uganda over anti-LGBTQ law. Apparently, Uganda passed one of the "most stringent" anti-LGBTQ laws where one could be sentenced to death because of  “aggravated homosexuality” if they are found guilty of defiling or knowingly infecting minors through gay sex.
More information can be got here - https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2023/8/9/world-bank-halts-new-loans-to-uganda-over-anti-lgbtq-law

Seriously, are those bank loans and aids to the Third World countries in good faith? I have always doubted this. Why aren't they halting loans when there are other documented gross Human right violations like unjust killing of citizens and corruption by the current rulers in different countries? But when it comes to anti-LGBTQ laws, it's suddenly a very important human right. Killing citizens is not that critical!

Lately, Ghana might be on its way to pass a similar law - https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ghana-supreme-court-rejects-bid-block-anti-lgbtq-bill-2023-07-19/ and all eyes are on them

I saw some very sour souls when it came to the Qatar hosting the world cup recently, citing "gross human right violations". But the fact is that it was always about the culture. They wanted their culture to suddenly change to accommodate the western culture  . Gladly, this never happened.

If these countries are really independent? Then why must other nations dictate on what they should do with their cultures and traditions?

And why are these so-called Third World countries still relying on Loans?

[Gyfts]

The World Bank is just a foreign policy vehicle for the U.S. to do their political bidding overseas. David Malpass was the former World Bank President and he was ousted this year because he was skeptical of climate change spending initiatives. Of course, his replacement was all but required to focus spending on climate change matters.

ESG is a tumor that's metastasizing.

And why are these so-called Third World countries still relying on Loans?

If the loan is low interest, consider it free money for them.

[suchmoon]

If these countries are really independent? Then why must other nations dictate on what they should do with their cultures and traditions?

And why are these so-called Third World countries still relying on Loans?

Well, that kinda answer that, doesn't it? If they were really independent they wouldn't have to care about loans or banks telling them what to do. And quite a few of those countries have enough resources to get to that point but instead of focusing on rooting out corruption etc are passing laws repressing their own citizens. Difficult to feel sorry for that kind of shit.

[OgNasty]

It is pretty crazy to me how the people running the world bank have seemingly decided that pushing any form of gender nonsense or puberty blocking anything as long as it reduces population is a good thing. They’re now throwing their full weight behind their beliefs by denying loans and forcing companies like Budweiser near bankruptcy just to meet their ridiculous standards.

[Die_empty]

Well, that kinda answer that, doesn't it? If they were really independent they wouldn't have to care about loans or banks telling them what to do. And quite a few of those countries have enough resources to get to that point but instead of focusing on rooting out corruption etc are passing laws repressing their own citizens. Difficult to feel sorry for that kind of shit.

African countries will keep living a beggarly life until they stamp out corruption and become independent. A continent with so many resources that can make them self-sufficient is now depending on loans because of corruption. Even these loans are diverted to private pockets. The World Bank can not give Qatar or Saudi Arabia such a directive.

Even when investigations proved that it was Mohammed bin Salman that ordered the brutal killing of Jamal Khashoggi, Donald Trump took the matter lightly. Saudi Arabia is independent but all African countries are the puppet of the IMF, World Bank, Paris Club, and China Development Bank. Africa will be under the political and social influence of these lending organizations until the continent becomes financially independent.

[BADecker]

It is pretty crazy to me how the people running the world bank have seemingly decided that pushing any form of gender nonsense or puberty blocking anything as long as it reduces population is a good thing. They’re now throwing their full weight behind their beliefs by denying loans and forcing companies like Budweiser near bankruptcy just to meet their ridiculous standards.

FYI...

All the world politics and problems are located in banking and making more mone3y. As people are pushed away from solid religion by bank-made problems, he banks have an easier time controlling the people. It will be their (the banks') downfall, of course. God doesn't like what they are doing. He patiently puts up with only so much... because He loves all people, and bank people are people, too.

[Hispo]

Well, as far as I am concerned the World Bank and most of monetary global institutions are not unbiased and neutral when comes to politics and culture of the nations, most of them are funded and directed by the powerful from western countries, so it is to be expected that measures like this one happen when the cultural differences start to get more and more obvious.

Rarely anything is free and when comes to financial aid to third world countries, some would argue it is a way to push forward some political ideas and interest of the donating nations; it is easier to see when it is China or Russia doing the donation and expecting to increase their sphere of influence in developing countries, the same can happen with western countries or associations.

[coolcoinz]

This World Bank is just an instrument of abuse that takes advantage of countries that need a money injection. These countries think that it's going to be a normal loan, where both parties decide on the amount and interest and it's done, but that's not how the World Bank operates. It wants to be involved in internal politics, in lawmaking. It wants to decide on the course of action the country takes.

It's like you had a lease on your car, but the company would call you and tell you if you can or cannot drive today, what gas station you can use, what tire manufacturer you're supposed to choose...

I hope more countries do like El Salvador and show these people their middle finger.

[SamReomo]

That's a reality and that will remain the way it is. The World Bank gives loans to make the countries obedient to the rules and regulation they impose on them. In this case Uganda has taken a step to protect minors from physical abuse because in most of LGBTQ cases the victims are the minor ones. I don't think that what's wrong when a country makes laws in their jurisdictions and I don't know why World Bank took a step like this to show them that they are not independent in making laws in their own country.

I would say that the World Bank and its operations should be for the betterment of humanity and if a country makes a decision to stop something that can destroy the lives of hundreds and thousands of victims then I such cases they should be neutral instead a opposing such laws. I know that the law Uganda has made is quite cruel and inhuman, but if the purpose behind it is to protect hundreds of thousands from such abuses then I think it's still not that horrible. The offenders will most probably be scared because of such laws and the lives of minors will be save in a country like that.

[paxmao]

I just came across a new article on Aljazeera where the World Bank decided to pause new loans to Uganda over anti-LGBTQ law. Apparently, Uganda passed one of the "most stringent" anti-LGBTQ laws where one could be sentenced to death because of  “aggravated homosexuality” if they are found guilty of defiling or knowingly infecting minors through gay sex.
More information can be got here - https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2023/8/9/world-bank-halts-new-loans-to-uganda-over-anti-lgbtq-law

Seriously, are those bank loans and aids to the Third World countries in good faith? I have always doubted this. Why aren't they halting loans when there are other documented gross Human right violations like unjust killing of citizens and corruption by the current rulers in different countries? But when it comes to anti-LGBTQ laws, it's suddenly a very important human right. Killing citizens is not that critical!

Lately, Ghana might be on its way to pass a similar law - https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ghana-supreme-court-rejects-bid-block-anti-lgbtq-bill-2023-07-19/ and all eyes are on them

I saw some very sour souls when it came to the Qatar hosting the world cup recently, citing "gross human right violations". But the fact is that it was always about the culture. They wanted their culture to suddenly change to accommodate the western culture  . Gladly, this never happened.

If these countries are really independent? Then why must other nations dictate on what they should do with their cultures and traditions?

And why are these so-called Third World countries still relying on Loans?

It can be about culture in the sense that if the culture of some countries is to limit the human rights and impose punishments for people whose only sin is to be gay, then... well yes is cultural. The UN works on the basis of human rights, and this includes the right to exercise you choice in gender, relations and many other things. If you do not like it or it is culturally unacceptable to a country, then you are out of the game - nobody is forcing anyone to be in.

[Queentoshi]

I saw some very sour souls when it came to the Qatar hosting the world cup recently, citing "gross human right violations". But the fact is that it was always about the culture. They wanted their culture to suddenly change to accommodate the western culture  . Gladly, this never happened.

Because Qatar is not a poor country that is dependent, they were unable to impose this new western culture on them.

If these countries are really independent? Then why must other nations dictate on what they should do with their cultures and traditions?

It is not good that the world bank tries to force independent nations to adopt their cultures just because they are aware of the need for financial aid.

And why are these so-called Third World countries still relying on Loans?

These countries have been kept poor by their leaders who have almost become puppets to the desires of the west, that is why their independence is almost seaming useless and not true. Africa is blessed with enough resources for it to become one of the richest continents in the world, with good leaders, they will not need any loans from the world banks, and they will not need to change their ways because of help that they need.

With all these things happening and loans halted over refusal to conform, it will be an eye opener to people that Africa neeeds to start becoming more independent of the west.

[yazher]

This is bad because they just want to preserve their traditions and want to have their own opinion regarding this movement and they should be respected for that since they are not imposing rules like Brunei. It seems like they are now making some bad moves considering this country needed them for help rebuilding their economy. I wonder how Uganda deals with this problem and maybe they will forced to consider postponing their laws regarding this so that they can save their economy if ever they need the World Bank's help.

[Hispo]

This is bad because they just want to preserve their traditions and want to have their own opinion regarding this movement and they should be respected for that since they are not imposing rules like Brunei. It seems like they are now making some bad moves considering this country needed them for help rebuilding their economy. I wonder how Uganda deals with this problem and maybe they will forced to consider postponing their laws regarding this so that they can save their economy if ever they need the World Bank's help.

I doubt Uganda will reverse their choice, to be honest. I have seen people from Uganda on Twitter (when all of this started) and they seemed okey with such measure.
Also, I have read that Uganda tradition on Homophobia or their adverse feelings against the LGBT community does not come originally from their native traditions but was rather implanted by settlers and the missionaries who came from the European powers, during the colonial era.

Either way, I do not think that cutting the economical and social help in a whole country is an actual solution, it may only enforce the idea on the LGBT acceptance being a enforced way of thinking and would drive even more communities to exclude their LGBT people in Africa.

World Bank is not right on taking such a decision by itself.

[uchegod-21]

This is bad because they just want to preserve their traditions and want to have their own opinion regarding this movement and they should be respected for that since they are not imposing rules like Brunei. It seems like they are now making some bad moves considering this country needed them for help rebuilding their economy. I wonder how Uganda deals with this problem and maybe they will forced to consider postponing their laws regarding this so that they can save their economy if ever they need the World Bank's help.

The OP asked a very important question that demands a befitting answer. The question is "why do the 3rd world countries always want loans?". They have government, their citizens pay tax and they generate revenue internally, yet they continue borrowing from IMF and WB.
If I have the money and you want to borrow it to enforce something I do not support, I will obviously not give you the money. If you feel you have a culture you want to sustain and you have a law that soothes your culture, generate the money to enforce your law and culture. Corruption will not allow them, most of the monies they borrow is for looting and personal gain and not for the country.

[Gallar]

~Snip

Stop lending money because the country is very anti-LGBT, in my opinion this is very unfair. Because basically whether you agree or not agree with LGBT, I don't think it should be related to what is called the flow of money lending. Because if that reason is not respecting human rights, in my opinion that reason is very inappropriate. Why do I say it's not right? That's because in this world there is such a thing as religion, and religions like Islam and Christianity really blame these LGBT actions, and sin this behavior. So because of that, the point is don't worry too much about lgbt, let alone stop lending money to that country (Uganda).

Because if you think about it more deeply, everyone must have a different point of view about LGBT, therefore, those who are pro-LGBT should not think that people who are not pro-LGBT do not respect human rights. And for people who are against LGBT, don't bother people who are pro-LGBT, because that's their business. So the point is that mutual respect must be used here. Because don't just want to be respected by other people, but still have to be able to respect other people (opinions, beliefs, and decisions). So the news you shared about the world bank not lending anymore because that country doesn't like LGBT, from my point of view, that's an act that's unfair and can even be called a lack of respect for human rights.

[BADecker]

World Bank halts new loans over anti-LGBTQ law. Right decision or hypocrisy?


It is a good and right decision by the World Bank. Why? Because it signals the beginning of the coming downfall of the World Bank.

[Die_empty]

This is bad because they just want to preserve their traditions and want to have their own opinion regarding this movement and they should be respected for that since they are not imposing rules like Brunei. It seems like they are now making some bad moves considering this country needed them for help rebuilding their economy. I wonder how Uganda deals with this problem and maybe they will forced to consider postponing their laws regarding this so that they can save their economy if ever they need the World Bank's help.

The OP asked a very important question that demands a befitting answer. The question is "why do the 3rd world countries always want loans?". They have government, their citizens pay tax and they generate revenue internally, yet they continue borrowing from IMF and WB.
If I have the money and you want to borrow it to enforce something I do not support, I will obviously not give you the money. If you feel you have a culture you want to sustain and you have a law that soothes your culture, generate the money to enforce your law and culture. Corruption will not allow them, most of the monies they borrow is for looting and personal gain and not for the country.

Most countries of the world access loans from the World Bank and IMF but this condition to Uganda is strange. We know African leaders are corrupt and will mismanage the funds but it shouldn't be an excuse to interfere or try to change the beliefs of the people. The conditions for international  loans should be economic policies such as the devaluation of currency, retrenchment or removal of subsidies, and not social issues. If you halt loans because of these issues the citizens of the country will suffer the consequences.

You spoke well uchegod when you pinpointed that this is a wake-up call to African leaders to stop depending on loans to sustain their economy. If they want to enjoy total independence, then they must seek ways to be financially autonomous.

[Hispo]

World Bank halts new loans over anti-LGBTQ law. Right decision or hypocrisy?


It is a good and right decision by the World Bank. Why? Because it signals the beginning of the coming downfall of the World Bank.

What does failure of the World Bank have to do with LGBT discrimination and selective isolation of economical aid against certain countries?

Also, Keeping in mind the World Bank is backed by many of the most developed countries in the world it is unlikely it will fail in the short term and even less likely this kind of policies will the the reason for it.

Also, the best case scenario would be if African countries learn to thrive without the influence of those foreign organizations, so they can manage their own policies and political destiny at last