MPs lobbied on minority rights
Centre for the Development of People (Cedep) and Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) have lobbied Members of Parliament (MPs) to support the removal of restrictive laws against minority groups such as homosexuals and sex workers.
The two CSOs, who have been in the forefront of fighting for minority rights, said such groups have the right to enjoy sexual and reproductive health.
Chairpersons and members of several parliamentary committees, among them on HIV and Aids, Health, Social Welfare and Legal Affairs, sought clarification on minority rights and their place in the country’s laws and policy frameworks. However, scepticism about their acceptance remained after the meeting.
Human rights lawyer Chrispin Sibande informed the MPs that lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders were entitled to enjoy human rights as enshrined in the Constitution, but a restrictive legal framework prevented this.
Sibande said there were corresponding criminal provisions in the country’s laws which prevented minority groups such as homosexuals and sex workers from enjoying their sexual and reproductive health rights.
Preliminary results from a study conducted last year indicates that there about 40 000 homosexuals in the country whose sexual and reproductive health rights are not suspended just because of their sexual orientation.
Chairperson for the Parliamentary Committee on Health, Juliana Lunguzi, said issues of homosexuals were taboo in Malawi’s society and urged their proponents to package the information in a way it can be well received.
But Parliamentary Women’s Caucus chairperson Jessie Kabwila said there should be no choice to be made to recognise the rights of people who choose to love differently from the majority.
CHRR executive director Timothy Mtambo said the organisations decided to engage the MPs at the end of their meeting in Lilongwe to remind them about the values embraced when Malawi attained multiparty democracy in 1994 so that the majority can protect the minority.
This is madness. MPs have other critical issues to do than what these beggars are advocating. Gays rights with a fake figure estimated at 40,000 persons should not override the will of 15 million citizens. This is unethical and undemocratic by all standards. MPs focus on real issues. Miss Lunguzi you are partly right but do not give chances to gays rights as implied in your comment. Remember you are looking to go back to Parliament, then watch your mouth. If it is against the will of the voters, you are finished. Norway and Denmark have a hand in this stupid chat by Mtambo and Trepence. But Mlengi is watching. The one who helped us during the Open and Third campaign will champion the day whem foolish MPs will begin to dance to the tune of colonists. Remember the west are still owing us much from the day of slave trade to colonism.