News / National
Zim culture against homosexuality says Chinamasa
21 May 2012 at 13:42hrs | Views
United Nations Human Rights Commissioner, Navi Pillay who arrived in the country on Sunday, has begun meeting relevant ministerial officials and civic society organisations in her assessment of the state of human rights situation in Zimbabwe.
Ms Pillay and her delegation made a first stop at Justice and Legal Affairs Minister Patrick Chinamasa's offices for an hour-long closed door meeting.
After the meeting, Chinamasa emerged to announce he had clearly outlined the successes and challenges the country is facing in trying to deal with human rights issues such as economic challenges stemming from the illegal sanctions imposed by the West.
Chinamasa said: "The meeting went very well it was mutually beneficial and I told her of the true situation in the country and the effects of the sanctions which are crippling us from achieving our desired goals, on her part she also expressed her views in a frank manner on areas she finds us lacking she will debrief you on Friday."
He added that Pillay had voiced concern over areas she needed the ministry to clarify, which were mainly caused from the skewed reportage that Zimbabwe has received from the global media which is dominated by the West as well as pirate stations.
Chinamasa said he had clearly explained that the constitutional and legal framework of the country regarding homosexuality, saying the country has no place for the practice as it is against moral norms in Zimbabwe.
He said: "On the issue of homosexuality I was clear to her that our constitution and our laws do not permit such practices and those caught engaging in the practise risk being arrested and punished. It is against our moral fibre and we condemn it."
From Minister Chinamasa's office, Pillay proceeded to meet with the Minster of Labour and Social Welfare, Ms Paurina Mupariwa.
Before her departure, the UN human Rights Chief is expected to give her findings at a media conference in Harare.
Ms Pillay and her delegation made a first stop at Justice and Legal Affairs Minister Patrick Chinamasa's offices for an hour-long closed door meeting.
After the meeting, Chinamasa emerged to announce he had clearly outlined the successes and challenges the country is facing in trying to deal with human rights issues such as economic challenges stemming from the illegal sanctions imposed by the West.
Chinamasa said: "The meeting went very well it was mutually beneficial and I told her of the true situation in the country and the effects of the sanctions which are crippling us from achieving our desired goals, on her part she also expressed her views in a frank manner on areas she finds us lacking she will debrief you on Friday."
Chinamasa said he had clearly explained that the constitutional and legal framework of the country regarding homosexuality, saying the country has no place for the practice as it is against moral norms in Zimbabwe.
He said: "On the issue of homosexuality I was clear to her that our constitution and our laws do not permit such practices and those caught engaging in the practise risk being arrested and punished. It is against our moral fibre and we condemn it."
From Minister Chinamasa's office, Pillay proceeded to meet with the Minster of Labour and Social Welfare, Ms Paurina Mupariwa.
Before her departure, the UN human Rights Chief is expected to give her findings at a media conference in Harare.
Source - zbc