ON THE BRIEF
SUMMIT FOR DEMCRACY, ZAMBIA SHOULD PROTECT ITS VALUES-AMB. MWAMBA
Former Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba discusses the upcoming Summit for Democracy that the United States is co-hosting with Costa Rica, the Netherlands, South Korea and Zambia.
The virtual summit will attract the participation of over 100 countries and host countries like Zambia has invited guests to the hybrid meetings.
Civil Society and Private Sector will also have sideline meetings and have a prepared document; “Call to Action, a call to Civil Society and Private Sector to advance Democracy.”
Amb. Mwamba has expressed concerns at USA foreign policies especially President Biden’s perspective that promotes among other policies, a push to mainstream and place at the centre LGBQI+ rights in foreign relations and foreign assistance.
On 5th February 2021, President Biden signed a foreign policy memo putting U.S. at ‘forefront’ of global LGBTQ rights.
The Memorandum on Advancing the Human Rights of L@sbian, G@y, B!sexual, Tr@nsgender, Qu@er, and Int@rsex Persons Around the World directs American agencies operating abroad “to ensure that United States diplomacy and foreign assistance promote and protect the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons.”
It calls for agencies to combat criminalization of LGBTQ identity or conduct, protect LGBTQ refugees and asylum-seekers, address human rights abuses affecting LGBTQ people and work with like-minded nations and international organizations to combat discrimination.
Amb. Mwamba has stated that as Zambia hosts this Summit and receives USA Vice President, Kamala Harris, it’s imperative that the country does not compromise its cherished national principles and values.
Amb. Mwamba has called on Zambians to take interest in the Summit and ensure that only good values of the country are promoted and protected.