Minister of Information and Media and Chief Government Spokesperson Chushi Kasanda says government has engaged the Finnish and Swedish Embassies concerning the flying of a rainbow flag on their premises, which is a symbol of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBTQI) movement.
Kasanda who is currently Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said government has written to the two embassies demanding for an explanation for their actions because Zambia is a Christian nation and does not support LGBT rights.
Speaking in an interview with the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Kasanda noted that the two embassies are yet to respond to government’s enquiry and then government will be able to provide more information on the matter.
“We have engaged them looking at the fact that we are a Christian nation so we have written to them and we have not received a response yet. You also need to take into account that embassies are a different territory, that is like you are in another country but because we are a Christian nation, we have engaged them”, she said.
May 17 is International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia and aims to coordinate international events that raise awareness of LGBT rights violations and stimulate interest in LGBT rights work worldwide.
On May 17 2022, the Swedish and Finnish Embassies flew rainbow flags in support and commitment of the LGBTQI rights. In a Facebook post, the two Embassies noted that they flew the rainbow flag in support and commitment to LGBTQI rights.
