No homosexuality, prostitution and witchcraft bills -Speaker
Speaker of the National Assembly, Henry Chimunthu-Banda has assured the church that the forth-coming Budget meeting at the new Parliament Building will not also tackle bills leading to legalising homosexuality, witchcraft and prostitution, among other moral issues.
Sources at the parliament building in the capital city, revealed that the Speaker had a closed door meeting with a top member of the Christian faith.
“He came to confirm whether government wanted to table the matters in these Bills or not. He was told by Chimunthu-Banda that this was not the case and that even if this was to be true, the Bills would not pass,” she said, confirming the secret meeting at his chambers.
Malawian religious groups have continued to demand that government does not bend down to western and other pressures to legalise homosexuality, one of the benchmarks under their prescribed ‘minority rights’ campaign.
Several church organisations argued that they do not want to alienate their faithful from the teachings of God who created man and wife to become one and procreate. They argue same sex marriages cannot be allowed in God-fearing and cultural strong Malawian norms.
The Islamic faith also said Malawi could not embrace same-sex liaisons and both religions teach against promiscuity and witchcraft.
However, humanism groups, a local one led by George Thindwa, insist that witchcraft should be legalised so that people cannot be persecuted on hearsay. He also argues that since there is no
witchcraft in existence, it will be proper that evidence be brought forward to defeat this claim.
“I challenge any witch to a MK100,000 bet if he or she can do magic on me with tangible results. Otherwise there is no witchcraft in the world,” he once told the media.
His institution is currently conducting a research/survey on witchcraft in Malawi.
On homosexuality, human rights groups led by CEDEP of Gift Trapence and CHRR of Undule Mwakasungura, insist that minority rights, including those that encourage same sex marriages, should be promoted.
Government has come out against the two and others and said they are only vessels of some western and morally degraded individuals in exchange for money.
Some donor partners warned they would withhold aid to the impoverished landlocked 13 million populated Malawi if its human rights record does not improve – making clear reference to minority rights, governance and financial prudence.
Parliament is expected to converge from Friday May 18.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
