Justice Minister Mulambo Haimbe has stated that Zambia will not decriminalize same sex relationship as doing so violates the country’s values, morals and beliefs as enshrined in the Constitution.
Mr Haimbe made the remarks recently at the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group in Geneva, Switzerland.
He was responded to recommendations that Zambia take steps to reform laws on same sex relationships.
According to recommendations made by a special team of UN experts, they want Zambia to decriminalize same-sex relationships between consenting adults.
They also recommended that Zambia repeals laws that criminalize same-sex conduct between adults and review all legislation, policies and programs to foster equality and prevent discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
The panel also recommended that Zambia decriminalizes same sex relationships between consenting adults and strengthen efforts to address inequality and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
They also recommended that Zambia respects the rights and fundamental freedoms of the LGBTI people through the repeal of all norms that criminalize and stigmatize the LGBTI person.
They further recommended that Zambia reviews and repeals the legislation that criminalizes consensual sexual behavior between people of the same sex; and prohibit degrading practices imposed on people of the LGBTI community, such as forced anal examinations.
And in his response to the panel, Mr. Haimbe stated that Zambia considers the recommendations as those that violate its values, morals and beliefs as enshrined in the Constitution.
Zambia’s human rights record was examined by the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group for the fourth time last month on 30 January 2023.
This was Zambia’s fourth UPR review with the first, second and third UPR reviews having taken place in May 2008, October 2012 and November 2017, respectively.
The documents on which the reviews are based are national report which contains information provided by the State under review and information contained in the reports of independent human rights experts and groups, known as the Special Procedures, human rights treaty bodies, and other UN entities and information provided by other stakeholders including national human rights institutions, regional organizations, and civil society groups.
The three reports serve as the basis for the review of Zambia on 30 January can be found here.
The UPR was established by the General Assembly of the United Nations (UNGA) in 2006, as a State-driven voluntary peer-review process which provides the opportunity for each State to declare the steps taken at the national level to improve the human rights situation in that State and to fulfill their human rights obligations.
At the UPR, all 193 Member States of the UN are reviewed without any selectivity or discrimination.
It is periodic and is repeated every four-and half years.
Three sessions are held each year and 14 countries are reviewed in one session. As such, each Member State of the UN is reviewed every 4 years.
Haimbe your govt has no choice . You got their money and you are still looking for more money from them. Its pay back time. Gays and Lesbians will soon be roaming our streets . You cannot stop them.
Why can’t the UN also tell European countries to decriminalize polygamy?? Polygamy is illegal in the West because it’s part of their core values and morals as a society. So why are they asking other societies to breakdown their values while theirs are kept intact?
What vlues, imported andmposed Christianism values ( read prejudices)?
Tintopono, you are obviously a foreigner and not a Zambian. You say that our opposition to homosexuality is due to christianity. This is not true, Christianity brought homosexuality to Zambia through catholic priests and others. Our opposition to homosexuality is cultural. This is true regardless of where you go in Africa. In senegal where 95% are Muslim, and in Zambia where there Christians and no Muslim, the opposition to homosexuality runs at 95%. Please go away. We do not want your homosexuality in our country
Not long ago, American President called African Presidents to Washington. Our President was also there. One of the issues Biden raised with these Africa leaders was about gays and Lesbian rights. He emphasised that the rights of these people should be protected otherwise there will be no Money. Did we object? No….we are even asking them to bring more money here as investors…..these gay people.
On whose mandate are you speaking Sir. Your minister of education is already working to introduce gaysim and Lesbianism to our children in school. He has already printed books that carry the messages of same sex marriage. The iwe naiwe ulelanda fimbi. Who is funding the Ministry of Education on this campaign? Is not the same people who were funding the UPND campaign?
Haimbe, stop wasting tax payers money on unnecessary trips. What useless cultish prejudices you are talking about to justify your hefty allowances? Move forward to 21st cetury. Talk about inclusive humanity and not exclusive cultish mndset of regressive middle eastern tribal cults
Well said Haimbe. Enemies of progress will condemn whatever you do or say. Thank you for stating Zambias position clearly
It’s not even an issue here among voters. We won’t waste time on things that are not issues in our country.
The proof of the cake is in the pudding.
These words do not align with what we have been seeing back home. Just empty words to try and appease the citizens.
When people were accusing hh of supporting these things covertly, I thought they where just smearing him. But the things I have seen have raised questions.
Let’s see how things pan out
kkkkkkkk were to now, stop lying we are not kids,we know your tacktics were you have reached zambians have already passed that level of thinking. All you want is to bring gyism in zambia but remember zambia is for the Lord.Your days are numbered and stop lying.What happened to Taitanic,dont play with God just because you want to bow to Baal.
It’s also quite interesting to see people talk about being backwards if you oppose this stuff. They say “we are in the twenty first century “!
News flash being in the 21st century does not make an unnatural act acceptable. Even animals OF *ALL SORTS* do not engage in this kind of unnatural activities. Therefore its clear it is against nature. Its more base than animal behavior.
Additionally those who engage in this behavior are extremely promiscuous, because they are never satisfied. Why because this is unnatural. Generally speaking the NORMAL result of mating is progeny. Thus mating is between a male and a female. It’s a no brained! It’s like a key trying to enter a key. NO! A key must enter a lock. It’s complimentary. That’s an illustration of mating.
Kikikikiki! And two locks cant enter each other!
What doesthis small boy haimbe know. His president has no option. He was funded by gay companies to win elections. Now is time to give them what they want. Zambians will learn a lesson. Your backsides will be hammered
He did well. These dogs think they can be masters over others.
There’s no law that provides for adultery but it takes place anyway. Homosexuality takes place in Zambia but there’s no law that provides for it. So what’s the problem?
Yes we do not need such laws, those who engage in such acts make sure you do it in privacy otherwise you will be caged or better move to Switzerland. It is indeed 21st century and we will not allow the oppressors to continue oppressing us. Haimbe good work for making it very clear to the civilized world that we have our own values and morals which we intend to uphold regardless.
It is important for the West to respect the beliefs, cultures, and traditions that we espouse. The time when West equaled civilization is long gone. We should be allowed to deal with matters in our own way. Even the nonsense of open affection is unAfrican, for instance. We do not go around fondling and kissing our partners in public like they do. Ala! Iwe Haimbe, make sure you are walking the talk!
What may we expect to see the country head to when we see first the dilution of the laws of the country slowly taking effect? We may say the country risk being torn apart, could that be right?
NEVER ACCEPT BANENE. THIS IS ABSOLUTE WESTERN RUBBISH!
Say what you like, the minister Mr Mulambo Haimbe stated it VERY CLEARLLY, NO VIOLETION OF OUR MORAL BED ROCK BELIEFS will be entertained in Zambia.
Haimbe is just a small fish, kapenta, learning how to swim in the ocean. BMW will soon undermine him and show him the exit door.
WELL DONE BA HON HAIMBE!.THATS WHY I LIKE REAL PROFESSIONALS. NOT FAKE PROFESSIONAL. MWANAWASA.THE FATHER OF THE NATION AT THAT TIME ,WAS A PROFEESSIONAL. HH, THE CURRENT FATHER OF NATION IS REALLY A PROFESSIONAL ECONOMIST. NOT PEOPLE LIKE MEMBE WHO FOOLSHLY WASTE PEOPLE’S TIME BY RAISING QUESTIONS WHY A PRESIDENT IS SOMETIMES DES/CALLED AS FATHER OF THE NATION ‘ AS WRITER AND ONEWHO HAD TAKEN LITERATURE IN LANGUAGES HE IS SUPPOSED TO APPRECIATE THE IMORTANCE OF FIURATIVES, SMILES AND THE LIKE.
WELL DONE BA HON HAIMBE!.THATS WHY I LIKE REAL PROFESSIONALS. NOT FAKE PROFESSIONAL. MWANAWASA.THE FATHER OF THE NATION AT THAT TIME ,WAS A PROFEESSIONAL. HH, THE CURRENT FATHER OF NATION IS REALLY A PROFESSIONAL ECONOMIST. NOT PEOPLE LIKE MEMBE WHO FOOLSHLY WASTE PEOPLE’S TIME BY RAISING QUESTIONS WHY A PRESIDENT IS SOMETIMES DES/CALLED AS FATHER OF THE NATION ‘ AS WRITER AND ONEWHO HAD TAKEN LITERATURE IN LANGUAGES HE IS SUPPOSED TO APPRECIATE THE IMORTANCE OF FIURATIVES, SMILES AND THE LIKE.