Staff Reporter
The Forum of German-Speaking Namibians has voiced concerns about the tabling of the Private Members bill by Swapo parliamentarian, Jerry Ekandjo, which seeks to outlaw same-sex marriage in the country.
They state that this bill is a threat to the Constitution of the country and will have other negative effects on the country’s economy.
Benita Herma, Deputy Chairperson of the Forum, explained that they are deeply disturbed by the tabling of a Bill in Parliament that prevents the recognition of same-sex marriages concluded outside Namibia and places several other restrictions on minority groups of homosexual and transsexual orientation.
This is in spite of the ruling by the Supreme Court that marriages between persons of the same sex, performed outside of Namibia, must be recognised by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
“The Forum firmly believes that all persons are equal before the law and should be treated with the same respect and dignity, as clearly spelled out not only in the Namibian Constitution but also by the United Nations. Namibia is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is based on the five key principles of Fairness, Respect, Equality, Dignity, and Autonomy, allowing individuals to make their own choices and have control,” Herma said.
She added that Parliamentarians may not even be aware that there could be persons of homosexual orientation among their own family members who may choose not to openly discuss their private lives.
“Opposition parties who strongly supported the tabling of Ekandjo’s Bill and even called for changes to our Constitution may one day themselves be under threat. If they support weakening the role of the Supreme Court now, they may have no recourse to justice in the future. Minority Rights are Human Rights. We have several minority groups in this country who feel they are not granted equal status in society, and it is our duty as citizens to protect them. If we stop doing so, our country will depart from the circle of democratic countries,” Herma cautioned.
She added that Democracy implies more than the rule of the majority, as it is based on moral values such as honesty, respect, responsibility, compassion, and forgiveness.
“It will have several unintended consequences if it is signed into law – and the Forum of German-Speaking Namibians expresses the sincere hope that this will not be the case. Namibia will certainly not be looked upon kindly by the international community. Our reputation will suffer immensely. Such a law will have a detrimental effect on foreign investment as well as on tourism, and it will contribute to the continuous brain-drain of young, well-educated Namibians who would prefer to live in a more tolerant country than Namibia. We believe this Bill to be borne out of personal misgivings and intolerance by Parliamentarians, and we implore President Geingob not to assent to it,” Herma concluded.
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