1¾«` From: coalcw@aztec.co.za (Clayton Wakeford) Subject: Press release on Namibia PRESS RELEASE: 31\1\’97 From the National Coalition for Gay and Lesbian Equality in response to anti-lesbian and gay statements in Namibia. The National Coalition for Gay and Lesbian Equality in South Africa responds to the anti-lesbian and gay statements of President Sam Nujoma and the SWAPO Party of Namibia as follows: · The Coalition is seriously concerned about these developments in a neighbouring state. We strongly support the lesbian and gay community of Namibia against arbitrary attack and prejudice. · It is tragic that lesbian and gay Namibians have been singled out for attack in this way by their President and majority party. · We condemn SWAPO’s call for the struggle to continue by ‘uprooting homosexuality from Namibian society’. This is a misguided call for action, particularly from a liberation movement of the stature of SWAPO which has always fought for equality and justice for all. · More serious challenges face the Namibian people under President Nujoma, such as alleviating poverty and redressing the inequities of the past. An inclusive human rights culture is required to prevent any repeat of this history of discrimination. · President Nujoma’s statements concerning homosexuality are extremely disappointing from a liberation movement leader and not appropriate to a head of state. Allegations that homosexuality is foreign to Africa are factually incorrect and inflammatory. · President Mugabe’s similar anti lesbian and gay rhetoric drew international disapproval. · Southern Africa cannot afford new campaigns of oppression and discrimination against any group. · South Africa’s constitutional guarantee of lesbian and gay equality is a beacon of hope to lesbian and gay Africans. · The Namibian Constitution guarantees freedom of association and expression and equality on the basis of sex (international legal precedent includes sexual orientation within the definition of ‘sex’). Namibia is also signatory to the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination. · It is discrimination that is unAfrican and not homosexuality. · The Coalition calls on all people committed to promoting human rights to condemn homophobia and all forms of discrimination in the strongest terms. ___________________________________________________________________________ NATIONAL COALITION FOR GAY AND LESBIAN EQUALITY Clayton E. Wakeford Lobbying and Advocacy Project Clayton Wakeford Office phone: +27 (0)21 448 0505 P.O. Box 51 347 Waterfront Facsimile: +27 (0)21 448 8809 8002 SOUTH AFRICA Home phone: +27 (0)21 434 8082 ___________________________________________________________________________ Facsimile: €` w8/` 88 ÇÀšïó.`› ï€ïD`‰Eï E0j`J`èj`²T`R`J`88èh`³—7j`²/—7îÈÈÎ`8Ï6,ù€­ÿÿÐÿÿÒÿÿëÿÿ4ÿÿaÿÿcÿÿ±ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿcÿÿ­ÿÿßÿÿâÿÿ+ÿÿfÿÿiÿÿ¯ÿÿûÿÿFÿÿFxÿÿzÿÿÆÿÿÿÿ[ÿÿwÿÿyÿÿÁÿÿ ÿÿSÿÿzÿÿ|ÿÿ½ÿÿÙÿÿÛÿÿÿÿ?ÿÿBÿÿŽÿÿ»ÿÿ»¾ÿÿ ÿÿVÿÿ›ÿÿëÿÿîÿÿ/ ÿÿ1 ÿÿ} ÿÿÉ ÿÿË ÿÿ ÿÿ_ ÿÿŽ ÿÿ ÿÿ ÿÿD ÿÿ” ÿÿÄ ÿÿ ÿÿ ^ ÿÿ` ÿÿb ÿÿ›ÿÿëÿÿîÿÿ/ ÿÿ1 ÿÿ} ÿÿÉ ÿÿË ÿÿ ÿÿ_ ÿÿŽ ÿÿ ÿÿ ÿÿD ÿÿ” ÿÿÄ ÿÿ ÿÿ Arial