User:Kjackson1456/LGBT rights in Zambia

Legal Action Regarding Same-sex Activity
Legal action regarding same-sex sexual activity is abundant.Although Zambia has maintained a strict stance against any form of LGBT activity, there have been a number of efforts, from both the United Nations and Zambian citizens, to change its policies and law regarding same-sex activity. These efforts have been largely in vain as Zambia sustained its policies.

Zambian legal policies regarding same-sex activity have effectively bred a national environment of homophobia which has made it to where that the justice system severely disadvantages LGBT identifying individuals. The justice system fails to recognize and protect the lives of LGBT citizens which has in effect opened the window for citizen based-militia activity against LGBT individuals. The US Department of State's Human rights states that:"'the government enforces law that criminalizes homosexual conduct and did not respond to societal discrimination...according to LGBT advocacy groups, societal violence occurred, as did societal discrimination in employment, housing, and access to education or health care… LGBT groups reported frequent attacks and discrimination in the neighborhoods in which they operated. Activists reported regular harassment, including threats via text message and e-mail, vandalism, stalking, and outright violence. ”"In April of 2013, Paul Kasonkomona, a notable Zambian LGBT activist, was arrested for speaking about LBGT and HIV related issues on a local TV station. Kasonkomona was charged with the crime of " soliciting in a public place for immoral purpose." Also in 2013, two gay-identifying men were beaten outside of a nightclub after being found in a "compromising position". They decided against pressing charges out of the fear of being jailed themselves.

In May of 2014, citizens of the Marapodi area of Lusaka apprehended two women who were suspected Lesbians. They captured the women, brought them to the local police station, and demanded their arrest.

In January of 2015, an openly gay man was attacked by a mob which reportedly included three police officers.

In terms of recent legislative news, Zambia has abstained from/denied a number of reform efforts. In 2011, Zambia was one of three countries to abstain from a call from the Human Rights Council to prepare a report on the rights of its LGBT citizens. In a 2012 UPR review, Zambia rejected recommendations to repeal laws criminalizing same-sex relations. This followed a similar recommendation by the UPR in its 2008 review. The Zambian delegation provided the following in defense of their rejections:"“the Constitution making process will give the people the opportunity to determine whether specific rights for LGBT persons should be enshrined in the Constitution. The Government was determined not to prescribe to the Zambian people those rights that the Constitution should contain, but to let them make such a determination.”"However, in its 2018 review, Zambia noted the recommendations to decriminalize same-sex relations. Aside from this, no further actions have been made thus far.