By Fanny Kalonda
SOCIALIST Party president Fred M’membe says
there’s nowhere the party has engaged in any discourse or activities concerning gay rights.
Dr M’membe, in a statement on his Facebook page yesterday, said the insinuations coming “from our colleagues are difficult to understand – they are unjust, unfair and cruel”.
He noted that Zambia still maintains diplomatic and other relations with countries which protect, defend and promote gay rights.
“Most, if not all, European Union countries that Zambia has dealings with defend, protect and promote gay rights. And so is the United States.
South Africa has a Constitution which defends, protects and promotes gay rights. South Africa even allows same sex marriages. The African National Congress defends, protects and promotes gay rights. But the UPND has been seeking a relationship with the ANC. Can one sensibly accuse the UPND of defending, protecting and promoting gay rights by associating with the ANC?” Dr M’membe asked. “The DA which the UPND has a long association and common sponsors with defends, protects and promotes gay rights. Can one by this association justly accuse the UPND of defending, protecting and promoting gay rights?”
He further notes that Zambia has an embassy in Brazil, a country whose Constitution defends, protects and promotes gay rights.
“Should Zambia stop dealing with these countries? Should Zambians stop visiting these countries and stop doing business with their nationals and organisations? Should Zambians stop studying in their institutions? And would it be fair to accuse Zambia and Zambians of defending, protecting and promoting gay rights by dealing with these nations, their organisations and citizens?” asked Dr M’membe. “Similarly, the Socialist Party deals with many political parties and other organisations in Europe, the United States, Latin America, Africa and Asia which defend, protect and promote gay rights. Defence, protection and promotion of gay rights have never been part of our dealings or memorandum of understanding with any of these political parties and organisations. And there’s nowhere in this country or in any other country where the Socialist Party has engaged in any discourse or activities concerning gay rights. So, the insinuations coming from our colleagues are difficult to understand – they are unjust, unfair and cruel.”
On June 20, 2022, Economic Front president Wynter Kabimba in a letter of suspension to Helen Mulala accused the Socialist Party of associating with LGBT and homosexual movements outside the country.
“I wish to inform you that I am in receipt of information to the effect that you are engaged in activities which are intended to disrupt the stability of the Economic Front as a senior official of the party. I have been informed that you have recently attempted to recruit some members of the EF into the Socialist Party, a party which has association with LGBT and homosexual movements outside the country,” Kabimba wrote. “In view of the above, I have decided to suspend you from the party with immediate effect until your case is determined by the Disciplinary Committee of the Central Committee.”