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(LUSAKATIMES) The US will continue to assist the government, even if the authorities refuse to legalise gay rights in Zambia-Schwartz

The US will continue to assist the government, even if the authorities refuse to legalise gay rights in Zambia-Schwartz
TIME PUBLISHED - Saturday, March 3, 2012, 7:27 am

THE United States (US) deputy chief of mission to Zambia Stephen Schwartz has said that his government has not asked the Zambian government to legalise gay rights as a pre-condition to receiving aid.

He said the US government’s provision of development aid to Zambia is on the basis of commitment to poverty reduction, respect for human rights and good governance.

Mr Schwartz said the US government engages in regular dialogue with Zambia to monitor its commitment to poverty reduction and other areas.

“The US government’s provision of development assistance to the Government of Zambia is on the basis of its overall commitment to reducing poverty, respecting human rights, improving public financial management, fighting corruption and promoting good governance and transparency,” he said.

Mr Schwartz said the US raises issues with governments when there are serious and systematic violations of human rights.

He said to date, the issue of gay rights has not arisen with the Zambian government, adding that the US will continue to assist the Zambian government, even if the authorities refuse to legalise gay rights in Zambia.

“My government will not cut aid to Zambia and what I can say at the moment is that our development aid to Zambia has increased and we will continue to assist Zambia as we promote human rights for all the people,” Mr Schwartz said.

His comment follows calls by United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-Moon that the Zambian government should discourage discrimination against anyone, based on sexual orientation.

Mr Schwartz said this in Lusaka during the week when he held a governance and public dialogue meeting with students at the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA).

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Labels: AMBASSADOR, BAN KI-MOON, HOMOSEXUALITY, UN, USA

posted by MrK @ 5:38 PM