petra against homosexuality

By Daniel Nyirenda (The Daily News – Malawi)

February 5, 2007: Opposition Peoples’ Transformation Party (Petra) says it is against legalising homosexuality and has urged Malawians to reject any external pressure to embrace the practice.

The party’s views on homosexuality and lesbianism come hot on the heels of growing advocacy by some NGOs who want some sections in the Penal Code of Malawi that criminalise homosexuality repealed.

In its statement issued at the weekend, Petra President Kamuzu Chibambo says a debate on homosexuality or any sexual relationship between same sex should be done openly and urgently by all Malawians who are concerned with the well being of the country.

He argues that the country’s laws must not be tampered with so as to accommodate other sexual orientations.

“Not only do the laws of Malawi outlaw such sexual relationship but homosexuality or lesbianism is abominable and cancerous to societies or nations.

“Malawi must never allow money that is pegged to legalisation of same sex relations. Money must not be used to rob us of our dignity and moral fabric. After legalisation, adoption of children would inevitably follow; is this the kind of society we want for our nation?” Chibambo asks.

However, Petra, which has one Member of Parliament (MP) Getrude Mkandawire for Mzimba Solola, says it could not condemn individuals who are personally involved in such malpractices, saying they need divine intervention.

A local NGO, Centre for the Development of People (Cedep), issued a press statement that appeared in The Daily Times last month headlined ‘Gaps and areas of inconsistency in the Constitution and the Penal Code of Malawi’, where it argued that some sections are fatally responsible for government’s failure to fully implement the National Aids Policy Provisions.

Cedep cited sections 153 and 156 of the Penal Code target any conduct or forms of behaviour that are not heterosexual.

But Attorney General (AG) Jane Ansah said in reaction to Cedep’s statement that what Malawi has is law that could be changed by Malawians themselves if they wanted.

“If Malawians say this is what they want, it will be so, but I cannot say what government’s stand is. Malawians speak through national constitutional conferences,” Ansah said.