MALAWIAN PARLIAMENT BANS HOMOSEXUALITY

By Dunker Kamba (BTM Correspondent)

MALAWI – 04 August 2009: Malawi’s Constitution Amendment Bill banning homosexual marriages was passed on Thursday July this year, during a parliamentary sitting to pass the 2009/2010 budget.

During this sitting Member of parliament, Edwin Banda proposed that the constitution should include a clause stipulating that Malawi is a “God fearing nation”, a phrase that would cast homosexuality out as it is said to be ungodly.

Banda said Malawi is a God fearing nation, “the whole front benches (Cabinet Ministers) are God fearing people, the speaker is a church elder. We should say no to same sex marriages”
Amidst applause by members of parliament Banda added “the clear position against homosexuality will help protect the sanctity of marriage and Malawi’s belief in God.”

However Minister of Local government, Goodal Gondwe, rejected Banda’s proposal stating that the phrase would be legislate people’s faith.

He said “people have different beliefs that will not be included in the constitution.”
Supporting the fight against homosexuality even the speaker of parliament said “as a church elder myself I do not support same sex marriages.”

In Malawi and most countries of Africa, policy makers continue to use religion to criminalise homosexuality.
Malawi’s Penal Code like in most African countries outlaws homosexual relationships and homosexuality by 14 years imprisonment or a death sentence.