From: [email-masked] (Bjoern Skolander)

Swedish Foreign Minister on Anti-Gay Statements in Namibia.

Following the Namibian President Sam Nujomas's anti-gay statements MP Eva Zetterberg (Left Party) has in the Swedish parliament asked Foreign Minister Lena Hjelm-Wallen (Social Democratic Party), if the Government intends to tell the Namibian Government that its attitude towards homosexuals is unacceptable.

The Foreign Minister gave the following answer to Zetterberg's question (1996/97:194):

"Eva Zetterberg has asked if the Government in talks with Namibia's Government intends to protest against the country's attitude towards homosexuals. The Swedish Government thinks that discrimination and punishments against human beings solely because of their sexual orientation go against basic human rights and the Swedish view that every human being has the same value.

Sweden is continiously monitoring the human rights situation in all parts of the world. We obtain regurlaly information from the Swedish embassies, the Swedish UN delegation, and other international organisations where human right issues are discussed.

It is important that governments and prominent politicians do not make statements which lead to a worsening situation for gay men and lesbians. This applies to Namibia as well as to other countries .

Our embassy in Namibia has regarding this issue started a dialogue with Namibian authorities, and we will continue to make our point of view clear concerning Sweden's position on human rights including the situation of homosexuals."

NOTE: The last 'e' in Hjelm-Wallen should have an accent mark.

SOURCE:
News from Swedish Lesbian/Gay Politics
Published by the Swedish Federation for Gay and Lesbian Rights (RFSL)
No. 2/1997 (January 15-28, 1997)

Partly translated by Bjoern Skolander <[email-masked]>