HRCC calls for gay rights
Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) says the rights of Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTIs) should be respected because they are also human beings.
HRCC chairperson Robert Mkwezalamba made the appeal on Thursday in Dedza at the end of a two-day workshop on LGBTI, Human Rights and HIV and Aids which Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) and Centre for the Development of People (Cedep) organised for human rights bodies.
The call comes against a background of continued harassment of homosexuals.
Police in Lilongwe early this month arrested two people suspected of engaging in homosexuality. Their case has since been dropped.
“Human rights are universal and they apply to everyone, including LGBTIs. If we harass them, we will not be able to learn from them because they will go into hiding,” said Mkwezalamba.
Father Martin Kalimbe from Anglican Church said in an interview the difference in opinion on LGBTIs is due to lack of understanding of the Bible.
“If human beings were created in the image of God, who are we to question that? We need to learn to live together because there is no theological proof that they [LGBTIs] are more sinners than others,” he said.
Kalimbe noted that the Bible is so complicated that people understand it differently. He called for tolerance.
Michael Kaiyatsa of CHRR expressed worry that people misunderstand their work.
“We are not forcing people to become gays or lesbians. All we are saying is that LGBTIs should not be harassed because they did not choose to be like that,” he said.
CHRR and Cedep also organised a similar workshop for lawyers in Blantyre earlier this month. n
LGBT people in Malawi it is only a matter of time before you will be respected as Human Beings.. The main reason is because Malawi cannot stand on its own as a country. It will always depend on the International Community and Donor Aid. The violation of human rights as in this case with homosexuality will always be condemned by the civilized world. Homosexuals exist everywhere and in fact Malawi is one of the countries where there is a large population of gay men, however the majority are living as heterosexuals even marrying to conceal their true identity. One reason why HIV/AIDS is rampant. The release of the two men recently(Dec 2015) is a sign that the Government of Malawi knows that the International Community will not tolerate such nonsense. Moreover, how can a country ever develop with such ignorance being displayed. Gay people across the world has the largest disposable incomes!… Wait to see how the economy of Mozambique continue to progress..Many millionaires will now make Mozambique home due to visionary Leadership.
It’s best Government get a handle on CORRUPTION, XENOPHOBIA, FAILED JUDICIARY, FAILED HEALTHCARE, FAILED EDUCATION SYSTEM AND ELECTRICITY AND WATER SUPPLY!