CHRR, Cedep denounce Lilongwe gay act
Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) and Centre for the Development of People (Cedep) have condemned Kelvin Gonani, an alleged member of the gay community, for acts of sexual exploitation and abuse of a nine-year-old in Lilongwe last week.
The media reported that Gonani was allegedly subjected to a homophobic attack by unknown assailants last week but investigations have revealed the man was not beaten for his sexual orientation but by fellow gay members after he offered his nephew for prostitution, according to Cedep and CHRR.
In a statement, the two human rights bodies said the alleged sexual abuse and exploitation of the child who was in Gonani’s care was worrisome and called for thorough and urgent investigations by relevant authorities.
“We commend the members of the LGBT [Lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgender] community for taking action to protect the nine-year-old boy who was sexually being exploited,” said the statement in part.
The organisations said much as they were interested in promoting equal rights and social justice in the country, they do not condone any sexual abuse of children.
“This is why we are calling for Mr Gonani to be promptly investigated and, if it is established that he indeed sexually exploited the child, he must be prosecuted,” reads the statement jointly signed by Cedep executive director Gift Trapence and his CHRR counterpart Timothy Mtambo.
However, the two bodies said it was important to state that sexual abuse of children has nothing to do with gay rights which concern consensual sex between adults.
Chid sexual exploitation is rooted in gay rights. Research conducted in America and Europe indicated that most children are abused by those cling to celibacy or belong to LGTB. It is wrong to argue that there is no connection when empirical research claim. Mr Trepence and Mtambo, have you ever a rigorous study on the subject you are defending. Being a professional beggar does not give authority to comment on anything you think you are not competent.
Indirect recruitment if minors into homosexuality cannot be condoned. Similarly, violent attacks on predators is not beyond reproach.
V