Donors caution Malawi on gays

  1. Posted on Thursday 18 March 2010 - 10:14
    Mtheto Lungu
    Image of Mtheto Lungu
    Mtheto Lungu, AfricaNews reporter in Lilongwe, Malawi
    About three months after the arrest of first open gay couple engagement in the commercial city of Blantyre; seven of the country's donor bodies have come out to voice their concern. The African Development Bank (AfDB) resident representative to Malawi, Frank Kufakwandi, said donors were concerned with the way Malawi is handling gays.
    black gays
    Kufakwandi as chairperson of the Common Approach Budgetary Support (CABS) group said issues of human rights have universal appeal.

    "The homosexual issue has raised international concern and Malawi needs to handle the matter carefully," he said.

    Respect for human rights, poverty reduction, democratic principles, sound macro-economic management and good governance and effective anti-corruption programmes all form the benchmark for Malawi's budget support from the CABS.

    "Some of our donor partner Parliaments is closely following press freedom and minority rights issues. It will be in Malawi's interest to heed such human rights issues. As donors, we are however ready to work with government on some of the issues," he said.

    Deputy Finance minister Fraser Nihorya however said the issue was tricky, and that human rights issues have corresponding responsibilities.

    "Malawi is still debating the homosexual issues as it is a new development. The country's popular opinion will influence government's position on the matter," he told journalists.

    The Daily Times today reported sixty-five British MPs signed a House of Commons Early Day Motion condemning Malawi for the arrest of Steve Monjeza and his lovebird Tiwonge Chimbalanga. They have been behind bars since December last year.

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