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Statement
on the persecution of LGBTIs in Zimbabwe
Crisis
in Zimbabwe Coalition
May 25, 2010
Crisis in Zimbabwe
Coalition registers its deep concern over the continued persecution
of LGBTIs (Lesbians, Gays, Bi-Sexuals, Inter-sexed and Transvestites)
by Zimbabwean authorities as evidenced by the raid on the Gays
and Lesbians Association of Zimbabwe (GALZ) offices, seizure
of property belonging to the association on the 21st of May 2010
and the subsequent arrests of two GALZ employees, Ellen Chademana
and Ignatius Muhambi on the same day. According to the Zimbabwe
Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), the duo stands accused of possessing
indecent material and insulting the office of the President. Two
days after the raid and arrests, Paul Mangwana, the Constitutional
Parliamentary Committee (COPAC) co-Chairperson, made discriminatory
and partisan utterances on the homosexuality discourse in the constitution
making process.
The Coalition
wishes to remind the inclusive government that LGBTIs, have inalienable
freedoms which include freedoms of choice, association and expression.
The arrests of Chademana and Muhambi and utterances by Mangwana
are in direct contravention of the Zimbabwean constitution
and regional and international conventions which call for the upholding
of these freedoms. The government should ensure that all Zimbabweans
are treated fairly regardless of their sexual orientation as long
as they behave within the confines of the law. Discrimination on
the basis of sexual orientation is unacceptable in any civilised
society and should be strongly castigated.
What is further
disturbing is Honourable Paul Mangwana's attempt to pen a
constitution for the people of Zimbabwe by dictating what should
and should not be included in the envisaged constitution. Hon. Mangwana,
who seems to suffer from homophobia, was quoted in The Sunday Mail
of May 23-29 2010 as saying that "gay rights would not be
enshrined under the new constitution". There is need for COPAC
to appreciate that while its members are permitted to hold their
personal or partisan views, those views should not predetermine
the content of the constitution. A people centred and democratic
constitution entails that citizens are awarded a platform to draft
their own constitution without control from any government officials.
Mangwana's
utterances come barely two months after the Prime Minister, Morgan
Tsvangirai and President, Robert Mugabe were reported to have uttered
homophobic statements. The Coalition urges the Inclusive Government
to halt its war of attrition targeted at ordinary members of society
such as LGBTIs.
The Coalition demands that;
1. The Ministry
of Home Affairs releases the arrested duo and desists from raiding
GALZ offices and detaining members and employees of the association
without due cause.
2. The Inclusive government respects and upholds the rights of its
citizens by discouraging any discriminatory statements and actions
against minority groups.
3. COPAC sticks to its core business of steering the constitution
making process and desists from dictating what should be included
or excluded from the constitution.
Visit the Crisis
in Zimbabwe fact
sheet
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