THE United States (US) deputy chief of mission to Zambia Stephen Schwartz has said that his government has not asked the Zambian government to legalise gay rights as a pre-condition to receiving aid.
He said the US government’s provision of development aid to Zambia is on the basis of commitment to poverty reduction, respect for human rights and good governance.
Mr Schwartz said the US government engages in regular dialogue with Zambia to monitor its commitment to poverty reduction and other areas.
“The US government’s provision of development assistance to the Government of Zambia is on the basis of its overall commitment to reducing poverty, respecting human rights, improving public financial management, fighting corruption and promoting good governance and transparency,” he said.
Mr Schwartz said the US raises issues with governments when there are serious and systematic violations of human rights.
He said to date, the issue of gay rights has not arisen with the Zambian government, adding that the US will continue to assist the Zambian government, even if the authorities refuse to legalise gay rights in Zambia.
“My government will not cut aid to Zambia and what I can say at the moment is that our development aid to Zambia has increased and we will continue to assist Zambia as we promote human rights for all the people,” Mr Schwartz said.
His comment follows calls by United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-Moon that the Zambian government should discourage discrimination against anyone, based on sexual orientation.
Mr Schwartz said this in Lusaka during the week when he held a governance and public dialogue meeting with students at the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA).
[Zambia Daily Mail]
This is not the century for conditions – the Biblical prophesy of “the first shall be last and the last first” is coming into place. This is why restrictions are no longer an effective tool to oppress any society or prevent independent action.
Good choice. Respecting our sovereign state and it’s democratic constitution. Moving on to employing Dambisa Moyo to advisor of national expenditure :)
That’s wat will make sense.we must owes stand by principals.
Yes, because Zambia has already made a good decision to support homosexuality. You cant punish non offenders. Zambia has not refused to respect gay rights but has only asked for more time upto September not June as earlier announced by Kabanda to convince people that the country will lose nothing but stands to gain if gay rights are honored on the pretext that Zambia already sign the human rights charter before PF took power.
Satan,
what are you on about, and what part of the world are you now operating in? What you are saying is NOT true about Zambia.
You have countries mixed up.
LT his comment has followed the rejection of the nonsensical behavior of HOMO after Moon attempted to take advantage of PF’s weak position to imposse it on Zambia.His comment has NOT followed calls by United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-Moon that the Zambian government should discourage discrimination against anyone, based on sexual orientation.Get the point?
Respect for Sovereignty
No gay rights shall be supported by the Zambian people no matter how America, UK and UN try to play hide nad seek in trying to take advantage of weaknesses of Sata and pf who are ardent sympathizers of the same. Mr. Sata is a very wicked man who keeps fighting almost everyone everywhere in the country. Very soon God will remove this dictator whose aim is to circularize Zambia so as to give Satan a strong hold on our people.
This whole thing Gay is rubbish as it nothing to do with sustainable development. So why waste time discussing an issue that does not add value to the livelihood of humanity at large. There are serious matters to focus, talk about how you can come in and save lives in Somalia and other nations. Reasons why it is being forced on people because, it is wrong, its a sin. Biblical marriage is between man and a woman, why cant you now talk about so many singles and see how they can get married? Ans: Its biblical, its automatically. Whether you like it or not, Gay marriages is a sin, and God’s wrath awaits. The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it. May God rule over this issue and put it to an end.
Bravo, thank you for confirming it’s a non-issue. Seized upon by bitter ex-government and bitter UPND individuals who are probably gay themselves
Aid Makes us lazy!
Aid makes you lazy
Aid makes you a slave
Its like selling your soul to the devil.
Good Mr deputy ambassador. We appreciate your assistance always.
No more rumours of same sex sentiments.
Now that Lozis have their own constitution what will happen to Zambia? Are we having two governments in Zambia or it s one? MCS can you clarify this nonsense we are hearing that Western has its own government. Are Tongas also planning to have one constitution? How about Bembas and their sister tribes?
More doors being closed on this chapter, MMD, UPND paints down, Sata and PF 3 -0 UPND, MMD. Next re-allignment to be closed as well
Good. The Westerners want to disrespect our human rights by imposing their human wrongs on us. We have the right to our culture. Homos are incredibly horrible people. Read 1 Corinthians 6:9.
So the Briish before this and now the Americans have stated their position. The government has stated it’s position as have other political and social groupings. Agree or not the facts are on record which goes to show how much the debate up here mainly by diaspora is personal opinions (sometimes heated) but nonetheless of no immediate relevance aside from sharing ignorance or knowledge. Moving on :)
Moving on indeed!
We are going to give Gays and Lesbians RIGHTS in BAROTSELAND, you guys in Northern Rhodesia you can remain in your 10th century beliefs that says all people are not equal.
Zambians on this blog amaze me or maybe do not have an idea about the USA, even the US government here have not legalized Gay marriage, they left all those issues to each state, for example just a day before yesterday State of Virginia legalized gay marriage, My State Wisconsin has not. Please ZED people do not confuse, GAY RIGHT TO GAY MARRIAGE, These are two different things, if anyone needs me to explain the difference let me know and leave me your 4n number or email so we debate one on one
Rubbish!
What a climb down from the ambassador, are you going to sponsor another regime change soon , sir?
” The US will continue to assist the government, even if the authorities refuse to legalise gay rights in Zambia ”
Of course they will, because they are all about the copper and cobalt. That is the real ‘national interest’ the United States has in Zambia.
I wish they made this much of a noise about the fact that 45% of children are malnourished, and that the country is losing at least $3 billion a year because the mines were ‘privatized’, courtesy of the IMF and World Bank.
I am dismayed and disappointed by the president’s lack of leadership on this disgusting homo issue. Why couldn’t he emulate Mugabe and come out in the open and state his position? Does he have to wait for the Zambian people to vent their anger against the vile practice of man to man sex before he delegates a minister to say something? This is cowardice!
Good thing they seem to realise how futile, how despicable, how treacherous and how impudent it is for one nation, race or culture to try and impose it’s values on another in exchange for money! Just because our people are poor does not mean that they are vulnerable to all sorts of evils! There are those that would still rather stay poor and rule their own destiny than sell their souls to the devil for material things.
Ban Ki Moon would be have been wise to keep quiet and just leave Africans to their own devices. Is it because we’re Black why he thinks we should make our laws compatible with the US judicial system? Atase! He better be good at dodging shoes if he tries the same thing in Iran, Saudi Arabia or Pakistan!
am gay and zambia i want to be free plis am tired of hiding my partner to the country plis help us mr president:)>-