Call for Zuma to lobby to free Malawi gays

The Anglican church in southern Africa called on President Jacob Zuma and the South African government to lobby for the immediate release of two Malawian men sentenced to 14 years in prison for their homosexual relationship.

"We urge them to press for the swift release of these two individuals, who have committed no act of violence or harm against anyone; for the quashing of the sentence against them; and for the repeal of this repressive legislation," the Synod of Bishops of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa said.

"As we have previously stated, though there is a breadth of theological views among us on matters of human sexuality, we are united in opposing the criminalisation of homosexual people.

"We see the sentence that has been handed down to these two individuals as a gross violation of human rights and we therefore strongly condemn such sentences and behaviour towards other human beings. "

Stephen Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga were sentenced to 14 years' hard labour last week for their relationship which a court branded "unnatural acts and gross indecency".

They were arrested in December as they held a party to celebrate their engagement.

The church also expressed concern at the "violent language" used against the gay community across sub-Saharan Africa, and at the increased legal action being taken against gay individuals, communities and organisations.

"Even in South Africa we are aware of instances of violence against the gay and lesbian community. We therefore appeal to law-makers everywhere to defend the rights of these minorities." It was immoral to permit or support oppression of, or discrimination against, people on the grounds of their sexual orientation, the church said.

A presidency spokesman was not immediately available to say whether Zuma would consider the request.

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Lycanthrope said:

Source: TimesLIVE

Zuma? As in the same Zuma who said that if a gay ever stood in front of him that he'd resort to punching him? Riiiiiight...

I'm impressed that a church is lobbying for their rights. Well done

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hsmnel said:

Go Malawi Go!

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hsmnel said:

Go Malawi Go!

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19 January 2010

The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Tuesday urged President Jacob Zuma not to appoint outspoken columnist Jon Qwelane as South Africa's ambassador to Uganda because it would seem to endorse that country's persecution of gay people.

"Jon Qwelane is a committed homophobe and his appointment could be seen as a tacit endorsement of the repressive stance Uganda is taking on homosexuality," DA spokesperson Lindiwe Mazibuko said.

Uganda is under international pressure to withdraw a Bill that would impose the death penalty for some homosexual acts.

"The DA is of the opinion that the appointment of Mr Qwelane would not take into account the serious nature of this," said Mazibuko.

In his column in the Sunday Sun, Qwelane has stated that same-sex marriage is "illogical" and that if any of his children had been gay, he would have disowned them.

The veteran journalist was a vocal supporter of Zuma when the ANC leader battled fraud and corruption charges, and it has been widely reported that he would soon be named ambassador to Kampala.

The Sunday Times reported that the government was waiting for Uganda to approve the appointment.

Mazibuko said Pretoria ought to be lobbying Uganda to drop plans to execute gay people, but instead "the president appears to be moving to appoint a man whose record for promoting intolerance, homophobia and prejudice in South Africa is well established and largely unparalleled."

Several rights groups have also signalled their opposition to Qwelane's mooted appointment. -- Sapa

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