JOIN DRIVERN TAXI AS PARTNER DRIVER TODAY!
A Lusaka based Non Governmental
Organisation, Zango Youth Consortium has petitioned the Legal and
Justice Sector Reforms Commission to come up with a law that will put
an end to discrimination against gays and lesbians in Zambia.
Consortium Chairperson Kaimbo Katengo told the Commission this morning
that Zambian citizens who are practicing homosexuality in the country
have suffered discrimination for merely belonging to the minority
group which he said should be enshrined in the penal code to protect them.
Mr. Katengo explained that all Zambian citizens should be treated
equally regardless of their sexual orientation and wondered why the
Judiciary has not come out to help the minority group who include
the homosexuals.
He disclosed that a research that he undertook has discovered that homosexuality is
being practiced in Zambian Secondary Schools and Universities by both students
and lecturers.
He narrated that he had witnessed the homosexually practice when he
was at Kafue Boys Secondary School and when he was at the University
of Zambia where he disclosed that even some lectures had affairs with
fellow male students.
He praised the schools authorities at Kafue Boys Schools for
protecting boys who practiced homosexuality saying the same could be
done at the national level.
Mr. Katengo who spoke so passionate about same sex relations said most
Zambians have learned to accept homosexuality except for a few people
who hold instruments of power who he said are violating the rights of
the minority in Zambia.
He added that even the punishment for people convicted on charges of
homosexuality which stands at minimum of 14 years should be reduced as
it is too long saying gay rights in Africa is not alien as it has
existed for many years including during Christ’s time.
He however stated that his organisation was not advocating for a
normless society but merely want all citizens to be treated as equal
beings before the law with full human rights.
But Director of Public Prosecution Mutembo Nchito noted that despite
homosexuality not being a crime according to the laws of Zambia, it is
against societal norms and also against the declaration of the nation
as a Christian nation.
He said because of its conflict with the societal norms and values of
the country, homosexuality is deemed unnatural in Zambia just like
incest and bestiality saying a line should be clearly be drawn.
The Homosexual petition sent the house into mixed facial reactions
with commissioners and the public who attended the sittings shaking
their heads while others holding their chins in what looked like a
shocking matter.
Recently a Kapiri Mposhi magistrate court acquitted two people on allegations of homosexuality which was widely published in the local media.
Another Lusaka man caused laughter in the council chamber when he
submitted that there should not be regulation to the trading hours of
liquor in Zambia as doing so is against human rights and also against
the declaration of Zambia as a liberal economy.
Mr. Mutonga noted that drunkards should be consulted when making laws
noting that non alcohol consumers have made laws to disadvantage those
that drink alcohol.
And Mr. Mtonga has appealed to the commission to consider reviewing
the laws to remove the Public Order Act and allow people to enjoy both
the freedom of movement and expression.
But Commission Chairperson Frederick Chomba explained that limiting
liquor trading hours is meant to allow people to engage into
meaningful economic activities and not be drinking the whole day and
night.
He said Zambia should not be turned into a country of drunkards in the
name of upholding human rights or trying to please everyone.
The Commission started its public sittings today in Lusaka and about 11
petitioners appeared.
