Namibian PM Says No Plan for Anti-Homosexual Law
Reuters, November 17, 1998
WINDHOEK—Namibian Prime Minister Hage Geingob on Tuesday
dismissed comments by a cabinet minister suggesting the country was set to make
homosexuality a crime.
"There is no chance that such a law is being planned," Geingob said in
response to a question in parliament.
Earlier this month Home Affairs Minister Jerry Ekandjo announced plans to introduce
legislation to "curb the spread of homosexuality in society."
Last week he appealed for heavy penalties and even castration for homosexuals in the
country as they were "involved in Satanist practices" and "are lower than
pigs and dogs."
Geingob said parliamentarians had the right to express their opinions, but as head of
government issues in parliament, he would have been aware of plans to institute such a
law.
If introduced, the legislation would run contrary to the country’s constitution
which states that no person may be discriminated against on grounds of sexual preference.
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