Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LUSAKA986
2009-12-31 06:26:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Lusaka
Cable title:  

ZAMBIA: HUMAN RIGHTS TRENDS PERTAINING TO SEXUAL

Tags:  PHUM PGOV ZA 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO8750
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO
DE RUEHLS #0986 3650626
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 310626Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY LUSAKA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7536
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
UNCLAS LUSAKA 000986 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/EX, AF/RSA LMAZEL, LGRIESMER, AND LDEES, AND
AF/S LAYLWARD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV ZA
SUBJECT: ZAMBIA: HUMAN RIGHTS TRENDS PERTAINING TO SEXUAL
ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY

REF: SECSTATE 130765

UNCLAS LUSAKA 000986

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/EX, AF/RSA LMAZEL, LGRIESMER, AND LDEES, AND
AF/S LAYLWARD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV ZA
SUBJECT: ZAMBIA: HUMAN RIGHTS TRENDS PERTAINING TO SEXUAL
ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY

REF: SECSTATE 130765


1. (U) This is a response to reftel request for information
on human rights trends pertaining to sexual orientation and
gender identity in Zambia.


2. (U) Chapter 87, Sections 155-8 of Zambia's Penal Code
criminalize homosexuality, and the government enforces the
law. Section 155 defines homosexuality as an "unnatural
offense" and a felony. It also states that anyone who
permits a male to engage in a homosexual act commits a felony
and proscribes penalties ranging from 15 years to life
imprisonment. Section 156 defines homosexual acts as a
felony and provides penalties ranging from seven to 14 years'
imprisonment for individuals who engage in homosexual acts.
Section 157 prohibits homosexual acts with minors under the
age of 16 and proscribes penalties ranging from 15 years to
life imprisonment. Section 158, "Indecent Practices between
Persons of the Same Sex," defines homosexuality, including
lesbianism, as an "act of gross indecency" and a felony.
There are no other laws or provisions of laws pertaining to
homosexuality or pending anti-homosexuality legislation.


3. (SBU) In 1998 Alfred Zulu, then-director of the NGO
Zambia Independent Monitoring Team, opened the debate on
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual (LGBT) rights in
Zambia by publicly advocating that the LGBT rights NGO
LEGATRA be registered with the Ministry of Home Affairs
Registrar of Societies. However, his attempt to foster
dialogue on sexual orientation and gender identity met strong
resistance. Zulu was threatened with arrest and prosecution
for supporting an illegal, unregistered organization. Public
advocacy in favor of LGBT rights ended when Zulu ended his
public support for LEGATRA. In 2005 the Zambian Parliament
debated and passed legislation amending and strengthening the
Penal Code's anti-homosexuality provisions.


4. (SBU) Zambian culture is strongly opposed to
homosexuality. Sexual orientation and gender identity
related societal violence occurs. Public attitudes toward
homosexuality are negative, and levels of tolerance of
homosexual behavior are very low. Negligible differences
exist between ethnic, religious, political, or age groups on
homosexuality. The Zambian government does not respond to
incidents of LGBT discrimination and actively prosecutes gay,
lesbian, and transgendered individuals under the law. There
were no court cases this year specifically related to
homosexuality.


5. (SBU) LBGT rights groups exist in Zambia but are not
registered with the Registrar of Societies and are illegal.
As a result, group leaders face the possibility of arrest and
prosecution. The NGO Zambia Against People with Abnormal
Sexual Acts formed in 1999 to advocate against homosexual
rights. Discussion of LGBT issues is generally considered
taboo, and there was no known anti-homosexual public advocacy
aimed at restricting LGBT activities by politicians or NGO
leaders in the past two years.
KOPLOVSKY