Saturday, January 16, 2021
  • About Us
  • ImagiNATION
  • Adverts
  • Rate Card
  • Contact Us
The Nation Online
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home News National News

Chakwera refers same sex rights to public

by Lucky Mkandawire
08/12/2020
in National News
3 min read
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsAppShare on LinkedinLinkedinShare via Email

 President Lazarus Chakwera has left the issue of legalising same-sex marriage to the country’s citizens to determine how the contentious matter should be handled.

The President’s position as outlined by his press secretary Brian Banda during the 13th Weekly Briefing at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre yesterday, is similar to the stand taken by his predecessor Peter Mutharika in 2015 when he announced “the issue will be put to referendum” for Malawians to decide. However, the vote never took place.

RelatedHeadlines

Covid-19 hits prisons

Dodma for adherence to Covid measures

Covid-19 mars cabinet review

Briefing journalists, Banda said that while the issue of same-sex marriages was an outstanding point of debate, Malawians hold its fate.

chakwera 1 | The Nation Online
Ready to listen to diverse opinions: Chakwera

He said: “What we need to do is to discuss as a country on the way forward. What is it that we want? We should not leave this issue to the President alone to decide.”

Banda said Chakwera and his nine-political party Tonse Alliance administration was ready to listen to diverse opinions on the matter from both the pros and those against the legalisation for the country to find a position on how to deal with it.

But reacting to Chakwera’s stand, Eric Sambisa, a member of the network of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organisations in Malawi, described the President’s stand as unfortunate on the basis that it was wrong for the President to subject issues of minorities to the majority.

He said: “We are already outnumbered and it is unfair for the president to say issues that affect minority people should be decided by the majority. We wish the President had an audience with us and hear our side first before making decisions that put others at a disadvantage.”

On his part, Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) national coordinator Luke Tembo argued the President needed to offer appropriate guidance on how Malawians will handle the issue other than leaving it open.

The issue of LGBT rights in Malawi was thrust into the international spotlight in 2010 when Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza were sentenced to 14 years imprisonment after they got engaged in a traditional ceremony. They were eventually pardoned and released.

The LGBT community argues they “should be free to love, and have the right to commit to the person they love and to celebrate that love without discrimination”.

During the briefing, Banda also maintained that Chakwera will not comment on the issue of Englightened Christian Gathering (ECG) leader prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary who jumped bail in South Africa and are being sought by that country’s authorities.

The Bushiris fled South Africa amid charges of fraud and money laundering hanging over their heads.

Previous Post

Civo Stadium snubbed from hosting international games

Next Post

Water boards seek help over police water connections

Related Posts

PRISON | The Nation Online
National News

Covid-19 hits prisons

January 15, 2021
A medical practitioner conducts temperature tests
National News

Dodma for adherence to Covid measures

January 15, 2021
Chakwera: No comment
National News

Covid-19 mars cabinet review

January 15, 2021
Next Post
waterboard | The Nation Online

Water boards seek help over police water connections

Discussion about this post

Trending Stories

  • Chakwera: No comment

    Covid-19 mars cabinet review

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Locked with hubby’s brother

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Unscrupulous traders dupe unsuspecting farmers

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Hospitals in crisis

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Covid-19 hits prisons

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Opinions and Columns

In pursuit of development

The workshop mentality

January 13, 2021
Rise and Shine

Never give up on resolutions

January 13, 2021
Business Unpacked

Be safe, embrace digital amid Covid-19 surge

January 13, 2021
My Turn

Framework for engaging retired experts

January 11, 2021
  • Values
  • Our Philosophy
  • Editorial policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Code of Conduct
  • Plagiarism disclaimer
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use

© 2021 Nation Publications Limited. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation

© 2020 Nation Publications Limited. All Rights Reserved.

WhatsApp us

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.