Swedish and Finnish Embassies in Lusaka on Tuesday flew the Rainbow flag, a symbol of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBTQI) movement on their premises.
Tuesday, May 17th is International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia and aims to coordinate international events that raise awareness of LGBT rights violations and stimulate interest in LGBT rights work worldwide.
In a Facebook post, the two Embassies stated that they flew the Rainbow Flag in support and commitment to LGBTQI rights.
“LGBTQI rights are human rights, always and everywhere,” the caption read.
But former Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union Emmanuel Mwamba has demanded answers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation over the matter.
Mr Mwamba charged that Zambia has not recognised LGBTQI rights and the practice of homosexuality remains a criminal offence in Zambia.
“This issue raises serious traditional, cultural and religious concerns and the Zambian people have constantly rejected this matter every time it has come up for both debate or policy consideration. It is therefore surprising that these embassies chose to fly these flags at their premises without due regard to the law and cultural sensitivity of Zambians and Zambia on the matter,” he stated.
He said Under Article 20 of the Vienna Convention, the Mission is only allowed to fly the flag and emblem of their country on their premises and on the vehicle.
Mr Mwamba said the Article is very clear when it states that, “the mission and its head shall have the right to use the flag and emblem of the sending State onthe premises of the mission, including the residence of the Head of the Mission, and on his means of transport”.
He added, “It is not provided for that they should fly emblems or flags for their chosen causes or campaigns. Under the 1961 Vienna Convention guiding Diplomatic Relations, Diplomats are mandated to respect the law of the receiving State and it is a serious breach of the Convention to break the law of the host country.”
“Similarly their premises, although enjoying immunities and privileges, must not be used for other purposes other than the approved and agreed purposes as guided by the Convention and host country.”
Article 41 of the Vienna Convention provides that;
(1.) “Without prejudice to their privileges and immunities, it is the duty of all persons enjoying such privileges and immunities to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving State. They also have a
duty not to interfere in the internal affairs of that State.”
And
(3) “The premises of the mission must not be used in any manner incompatible with the functions of the mission as laid down in the present Convention or by other rules of general international law or by any special agreements in force between the sending and the receiving State.”
He said it is imperative that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation resolves this blatant disrespect of Zambian laws and the culture of its people and the utter disregard by these Embassies for the Convention regulating Diplomatic Relations between Zambia and their States.
Homosexuality is an insult to God.
Right now Turkey is objecting to the two countries joining NATO and Turkey is deeply against LGBT – Homosexual lifestyles mostly because of there Islamic culture. Would Swedish and Finish embassies Fly these flags at there embassies? Answer is big no if it falls outside diplomatic rules of embassies. This should tell you more about muzungu’s attitudes towards Africans
There it comes, there it comes I got a mashed potato… someone is denying but there is.
I’ve come to like Amb Emmanuel Mwamba because he’s raising pertinent issues on governance and others. His fb page is full of such issues. Your service to this country cannot be over emphasized.
These two embassies are just taking advantage of the conducive environment under the New Dawn govt. Why now? An this raises our eyebrows because we never saw this under the previous regimes.
I hope this issue does not divert our attention to critical issues of development. Fight against corruption, supporting access to CDF for community level development, deployment of teachers and Doctors to improve service delivery. These are critical including making sure the PF thieves are caged.
It’s the price we have to pay to have the great leader as a Chola Boy. What he says and what he does don’t collaborate
WONDERFUL I’M SURE SOME WILL BE REJOICING AND TO THEM I SAY LIVE YOUR LIFE TO THE FULL
SUCH A PITY MANY ARE STILL LIVING IN THE DARK AGES >> BUT THATS US AFRICANS ALL OVER
Doug, you seem to be a very dull person. The issue here is about these embassies and you are busy with your PF monologue. Have you ever seen the inside of higher education institutions ? We concentrate on the raised and issues at hand and not just anything that comes to your mind. Grow up young man !!. Leave thieves to be handled by the appointed authorities. And you are NOT.
Swedish and Finnish Embassies’ grounds is just as them flying those flags on their home soil…if you are so much against them stop getting funding from them. This is just another of PF tactics if tribalism tag isnt working lets try LGBT as if it has any effect on your lives Mr Moron Emmanuel Mwamba. And he calls himself an Ambassdor …this is the same chap who was in RSA if you are so against LGBT rights you should never hace taken up that position in that country.
Next these homosexuals will be marching for their rights in the streets of Lusaka. We warned You!!!
New dawn government and new rights…..Homosexuality is here whether you like it or not.
Is anyone surprised by this? We raised this issue prior to elections…..and the praise singers and UPND thought we were joking.
Here we are today. Next check the American Embassy and the British embassy. You will never stop them.
And you thought you can get IMF gay money without conditions? This is just the beginning.
Within mr Mwambwas reasoning flying the EU flag on ther pole will also be against the law.
In any case why is waiving a rainbow flag against the law ? I think mr Mwambwa is letting himself get caught in symbolism here. That same rainbow signifies Gods promise to Noah and all of mankind. Gods promise hasnt changed eventhough LTBBQ groups have appropriated it.
I think freedom of expression should trump the offense he appears to take against this colored piece of cotton. In any case it is a personal choiche to be offended by such things.
Hahahaha what did I tell you. I told you that soon you will get gay rights. They can only feel so comfortable to do such under a government that they know is open to this. Hh is a pro gay western stooge. Wouldn’t surprise me if he is bisexual.
This definitely would not have happened under the ECL regime. The new dawn has abandoned Zambias Christian values. And this is what some people voted for. Absolute nonsense. ECL has balls, even deported a whole US Ambassador for challenging our values on this. What this country has done is to insult the entire Nation. We should kick the whole embassy presence out. Very shameful. May God deliver Zambia and remove this Scepter of wickedness from this land of the righteous.
A trusted disciple got paid 30 dollars and showed the Pharisees where to find Jesus. What about mere man wouldn’t he do that for the thirty pieces of silver.
#7 This is now become a common diversion. If you complain of poor service at the Boma, the answer is always BECAUSE IT’S FULL OF PF CADRES. But the DC is a Upnd appointee so where does PF come in. Personally I find this irritating.
AFRICANS AND ZAMBIANS IN PARTICULAR ARE JUST IGNORING REALITY. WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT, MORE THAN TEN PERCENT OF THE POPULATION ARE EITHER GAY OR LESBIAN. GET USED TO IT. THEY HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS AS EVERYBODY ELSE. AND STUP!D KZ, HAVE YOU PAID THE $13000 THAT YOU STOLE FROM ONE OF YOUR FELLOW COUNTRY MEN? BECCAUSE YOUR EX-FRIEND EDGAR CHINA LUNGU WON’T HELP YOU, HIS WHEELBARROW IS EMPTY!
The argony is………….
Condemning LGBT, yet getting aid money to keep your health and education systems aflot from many LGBT tax payers in their countries………….
the argony is……….
Many law makers in countries that provide vital aid to zambia identify as LGBT……..
The two nordic states will stop at nothing to convince us that it is alright to accept the rights of the crazy community and that such rights should be enshrined in our constitutions..Africa must wake up just because they give us aid that should not be a pre requisite to do force us to agree with them .
This is just plain disrespectful to the host nation, but this is what happens you are always begging for donor money, these two countries would not do this in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt or Quwait
Not sure what this convention has to say about the premises of an embassy. After all, we had seen Asange flee the streets into the Ecuador embassy and spent a good number of months there. The Finnish and Swedish embassy grounds are theirs. If they fly it on Zambian soil that can be a problem. Mwamba is an Ambassador but in this case he is playing politics to his own populous advantage.
WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT LGBT IS HERE TO STAY
EITHER ABOVE OR UNDERGROUND
THEY TOO ARE GOD’S CHILDREN LEAVE THEM ALONE
THEY STICK TO THEM SELVES AND LEAD THEIR OWN PRIVATE LIVES
UNLIKE A LOT OF MEN WHO ABUSE THEIR WIVES AND GET AWAY WITH IT
IS THAT NOT WHAT WE SHOULD BE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT ?
International law 101. An embassy premise is foreign land. It’s not Zambia soil by law and practice.
This is why signing security deals such as the one with Africom should be a concern, what they do there, they don’t owe us an explanation.
Julian Assange, founder of wikileaks was wanted by the US government after he leaked information about US abuses in the Iraqi and Afghan wars. He fled to the Ecuadorian embassy in London, and could never be touched.
The Swedish and Finnish embassies and premise are technically those respective countries, what they do there, whether we like it or not, is their own issue.
This gay thing has been there world over from
Time immemorial. So like it or not it will always
Be there. Let us concentrate. On hospitals.schools.and jobs.
Its laughable that some blogger is talking about Christian values…vile crook Chitotela just walked free from the magistrate laughing away because he struck an immunity deal of K100,000 for stealing millions of your tax dollars with ACC. That is a very profitable deal its like stealing £1,000,000 then paying £10,000 not be arrested …where were your so called Christian values.. just yesterday some chap was sent in for 8 months for stealing his father’s puppy. Where were your Christian values? These are the issues that we should be concerned about instead of nonsense about LGBT flags on someone’s embassy.
Embassy grounds are just like they are in their own country. So what do you want Zambia to do? You want us to go in a foreign country and attack them or bring down the flags forcefully? Find a job Mr Mwamba, you have too much time to idle around. Mr know it all, this is a non issue as our focus is the economy, not the sexual orientation of whites
Those rainbow flags are hoisted on their embassy grounds.That is their home soil.
And those Zambians who go to seek specialized medical attention in India and South Africa should stop.Those countries support LGBT rights.
Its against Zambias christian beliefs to seek help from countries which support gay rights.
Instead go to Zimbabwe,Iran or Saudi Arabia for medical help.
HYPOCRITES
If you understand the role of an embassy, this is another country’s land in your country. If you investigate objectively, this cannot be the first year that these flags have been flown in Zambia.
Look at the upnd diasporans supporting this dirty gay stuff. Keep that dirt there abroad where you get mounted by other men for money.
Under ecl we kicked out USA ambassador for such. Under hh he will just be showing his whlte teeth smiling to muzungu
Dear fornicators, thieves and liars: get aneurysms over things that actually matter. And as pointed out, since ithis offends your fake Christian sensibilities, please do not accept any monetary or technical assistance from any country in the West, als they ALL recognize the rights of gays as himan beings.
So it’s their land? So those who want a safe haven to commit sodomy can enter this land and enjoy without disturbance from the moralists?
Regardless of the embassy being another state’s territory that should not be tolerated in a country whose values and principles differ.. but you know what?? these guys gives us a significant amount of aid just last year SIDA contributed in excess of $5million dollars to health related activities and i doubt that this will be without such conditions attached.
Let us assume KZ is actually KZ. Where are your anti-gay morals when you’re having threeways with slayqueens in Chicagos?
I did not know this until Mwamba mentioned it. May be it was best he kept his beak shut, I doubt people in Zambia don’t really care about a peace of cloth with lines flapping the air. I mean how many people go around embassies to see what’s going on in there? If an embassy staff from one of these countries will be seen peeing in the flower garden of his embassy, will Mwamba call on our Lusaka council police to force arrest?
To those saying the embassy is foreign land, you must be mad. Embassies still have to follow the rules and law of the territory they are in. If not they are free to leave and close shop.
Lord Angus you must be a virgin because everyone knows a 3sum with two women is not gay. Ask your wlfe, I am sure she has partied with me.
What do Zambians expect when you have a President who tells the whole world that American values are the same as Zambian values? The story is now on BBC website and American and Nordic homosexuals must now be thinking that Zambia is the safest haven on the African continent for them.
I MISS PF
Ba Miti (No.28) naimwe. That reasoning cannot work. Imagine the Zambian Embassy in Finland or Sweden putting up a big poster within its premises proclaiming “AWAY WITH HOMOSEXUALS! TO HELL WITH LESBIANS!” Do you think the government in either of these countries will just sit back and keep quiet? You must be joking. Embassies all over the world are expected to respect and observe the laws of the host country.
Even zambian embassies abroad that is part of zambian soil and we can do whatever within our embassy walls and nobody not even police from the host country can question us. Same goes for embassies in zambia.
Shooterz- of course you miss lawlessness.
Supposing Zambia flew the Swastika in its German embassy -ets not mention the Israeli embassy ka-can our diplomatic relations continue?
Besides its not as simple as that. The embassy is in Zambia and it should follow Zambian laws. That is why when our president orders all flags to fly at half mast all embassies obey.. They dont say we are not part of Zambia so we will be at full mast. When they are expelled they dont say we will stay inside our embassy and dig a tunnel to our country. They just leave.