National Assembly speaker Peter Katjavivi has cautioned members of parliament (MPs) about hate speech and the incitement of violence.
Numerous members of parliament from both the National Assembly and National Council have been accused of hate speech and inciting violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex (LGBTQI+) and other Namibians.
This comes after the Supreme Court last week directed the Namibian government to recognise same-sex marriages that have been validly concluded abroad.
Some of the statements made called for the harassment, abuse and physical harm of the LGBTQI+ community.
These sentiments were shared on WhatsApp groups titled ‘Anti-Gay Marriage’, ‘Ondangwa anti gay marriage demonstration’, ‘Say no to homosexual’, ‘Zambezi anti-gay marriage’ and ‘Kavango East anti-samesex/gay marriage demonstration 2023’, with close to 3 000 members.
Katjavivi told The Namibian yesterday that his office has not received any complaints of hate speech and incitement to violence.
“At this very beginning, let me start with the following: that the concerns you allege have never been brought to my attention, to be dealt with as per our internal and official procedures,” he said.
The speaker maintained that MPs should know better.
“If there are such concerns, MPs are fully aware of the correct procedures to follow. Please also take note that we are an institution of integrity and observe the highest level of professionalism.”
He said MPs, through parliament’s standing committees, are guided by its standing rules and orders, as well as the code of conduct for members.
“The Constitution of Namibia, which is the supreme law, does protect equality, dignity and freedom of speech,” he said.
Katjavivi said a probe would only be instituted once concerned member/s submit a formal complaint.
This comes as Swapo parliamentarian Jerry Ekandjo yesterday mocked LGBTQI+ citizens’ fundamental human rights.
Ekandjo started a rant after posting an explicit and degrading video clip in a Swapo WhatsApp group yesterday.
“Is this what the Supreme Court wants?” wrote the ageing legislator.
He said when the Namibian Constitution was drafted, it was made clear in the Constituent Assembly, the assembly that drafted the Constitution, that homosexuality will not be allowed in Namibia.
This is why chapter three, article 14 of the Namibian Constitution states that men and women shall have the right to marry and find a family, he said.
“If we wanted homosexuality in Namibia, we could have said all persons shall have the right to marry and find a family but we deliberately put it to read men and women,” Ekandjo said.
Ekandjo said nobody can misinterpret what those who drafted the Constitution meant.
When The Namibian contacted Ekandjo yesterday, he confirmed he was the author of the messages.
About 24 years ago, Ekandjo made inciting statements about the LGBTQI+ community and urged the police to combat homosexuality and all other “unnatural acts, including murder”.
Another parliamentarian accused of hate speech, Vipua Muharukua argues that their work compels them to look beyond individual interests and protections, to the interests of the Namibian public as a whole.
“I deem these expressions to be part of the objective leg of my representations of the Namibian people. It would be regrettable for anyone to deem that anti-anything. I am a very responsible leader, who knows my duties too well.”
Muharukua also denied calling for violence or discrimination against any person or group.
“I simply asked parliament to do its job. Western countries have been debating these issues for centuries. Why someone would not want our parliament to do its duties, I don’t know. Such people must revisit their patriotism and their esteem for the supremacy of our Constitution,” he said.
Meanwhile, British high commissioner Charles Moore refrained from providing a statement regarding the Supreme Court’s ruling.
“I believe it is not my place to comment on the judgement delivered by the Supreme Court. The decision falls within the purview of the Supreme Court and the government, who are responsible for determining the subsequent course of action.”
Nonetheless, Moore reiterated his commitment to equality.
“My stance on equality has consistently been unequivocal. I firmly support the principle of equality. However, it would not be appropriate for me to offer an opinion on the Supreme Court’s ruling. Therefore, I cannot express any specific viewpoints on this matter.”
Moore conveyed these sentiments during a press interaction following his courtesy visit to president Hage Geingob at State House.
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