Zambia govt upset with USA, Germany envoys for supporting detained gay couple

Apparently two men accused of practicing Homosexuality were due to be sentenced this last week; representatives from the United States and Germany were in attendance, the Magistrate, however, was not, so the sentencing was pushed off. I got the story from Erasing 76 Crimes which linked to this article as well as several others.

United States charge d’affaires David Young attended; he also recently gave a speech on the United States relationship with Zambia that I quite liked (he referenced the four freedoms speech by President Roosevelt).

Democracies also respect the rights of minority groups. This is something that the United States has struggled with throughout our history. As Dr. King’s late wife, Coretta Scott King, once said, “Freedom and justice cannot be parceled out in pieces to suit political convenience. I don't believe you can stand for freedom for one group of people and deny it to others.”

This value implores each of us to seek freedom not only for ourselves, but to defend the rights of those who disagree with us and those who may be different from us -- including those who are infected and affected by HIV and AIDS, those who are disabled, those who are LGBT, and those who are from a different political party or religious tradition. The rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness need to apply to all people.

He (Ministry of Foreign Affairs permanent secretary George Zulu) appealed to the West to respect Zambia’s rights to live by these Christian values adding that Government will endeavour to protect the constitution by all means.

Mr Zulu said Government will not support proposals that are in contradiction to the laws and biblical teachings.