Vendors from Blantyre market today beat up a 39 year old woman, Mary Kadzitche, for dressing above the knee.
Kadzitche had to be whisked by a minibus driver at exactly 12:19pm todat, a development thatangered women.
It is in the habit of Blantyre vendors to harrass women deemed immodestly dressed.
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Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Scandorous: Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital's Dental Department staff cash in on rural communities ignorance
Day light robbery is taking place at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH), Malawi's referral hospital in the Southern region, where staff members from the hospital's Dental department are charging patients referred from district hospitals a non-refundable K5,000 fee.
Ministry of Health procedures stipulate that patients referred from district hospitals should access free government medical services, but QECH Dental Department staff are taking advantage of high illiteracy rates to cash in on rural communities.
Four visits to the department last week, aimed at ascertaining patients complaints to Zachimalawi, revealed that, in deed, the complaints are true.
Zachimalawi went to Chilomoni Health Centre on the pretext of having cavities filled, and was subsequebtly referred (in writing) to the Dental Department at QECH. Chilomoni health centre officials emphasised that QECH would provide free treatment since Zachimalawi's was a referral case.
But Zachimalawi was amazed with the reception guy's demand, himself a professional dentist, that he pays K5,000 for 'being referred here because, as people, we also grow tired and need something for lunch".
Mary Dzimbiri and Margaret Chanza, two women who came from Thyolo District Hospital, were also told the same, failing which they were told they would not access medicine.
"We are in charge here," said the receptionist who, ironically, spends uch of his time at the reception when he was supposed to be helping people.
Three other dentists at the institution also refused to help Michael Galeta, a patient referred from Mulanje District Hospital for his refusal to cough K2,000 to be treated "immediately".
Galeta confirmed to Zachimalawi.
Zachimalawi spends an average 20 hours last week trying to find the truth, and its investigations and self-confessions from Dental department staff revealed that, at least, 11 relations to the Dental staff receive free medical services and drugs free of charge, yet rural,poor villagers from far away places are made to pay for free government services.
To add salt to an injury, two of the staff members told Zachimalawi that they dicided to make the decision after noting that government stocks were running fast, but acknowledged that it did not come as part a government directive.
"Actually, we use government stocks which are thoughly accounted for. When people pay, referred especially, it helps us in our planning and stock taking. Otherwise, we only issue one receipt for every six patients registered because we get something," said one of the staff members.
When Zachimalawi sought comments from QECH administrator, he offered to call at an oportune time. It never happened.
Malawi faces high levels of drug pilferage.
Zachimalawi has photocopied health passports of 20 patients who were charged K5,000 for free government services, and is ready to offer them as evidence.
Ministry of Health procedures stipulate that patients referred from district hospitals should access free government medical services, but QECH Dental Department staff are taking advantage of high illiteracy rates to cash in on rural communities.
Four visits to the department last week, aimed at ascertaining patients complaints to Zachimalawi, revealed that, in deed, the complaints are true.
Zachimalawi went to Chilomoni Health Centre on the pretext of having cavities filled, and was subsequebtly referred (in writing) to the Dental Department at QECH. Chilomoni health centre officials emphasised that QECH would provide free treatment since Zachimalawi's was a referral case.
But Zachimalawi was amazed with the reception guy's demand, himself a professional dentist, that he pays K5,000 for 'being referred here because, as people, we also grow tired and need something for lunch".
Mary Dzimbiri and Margaret Chanza, two women who came from Thyolo District Hospital, were also told the same, failing which they were told they would not access medicine.
"We are in charge here," said the receptionist who, ironically, spends uch of his time at the reception when he was supposed to be helping people.
Three other dentists at the institution also refused to help Michael Galeta, a patient referred from Mulanje District Hospital for his refusal to cough K2,000 to be treated "immediately".
Galeta confirmed to Zachimalawi.
Zachimalawi spends an average 20 hours last week trying to find the truth, and its investigations and self-confessions from Dental department staff revealed that, at least, 11 relations to the Dental staff receive free medical services and drugs free of charge, yet rural,poor villagers from far away places are made to pay for free government services.
To add salt to an injury, two of the staff members told Zachimalawi that they dicided to make the decision after noting that government stocks were running fast, but acknowledged that it did not come as part a government directive.
"Actually, we use government stocks which are thoughly accounted for. When people pay, referred especially, it helps us in our planning and stock taking. Otherwise, we only issue one receipt for every six patients registered because we get something," said one of the staff members.
When Zachimalawi sought comments from QECH administrator, he offered to call at an oportune time. It never happened.
Malawi faces high levels of drug pilferage.
Zachimalawi has photocopied health passports of 20 patients who were charged K5,000 for free government services, and is ready to offer them as evidence.
Editor of censored Rwandan paper is assassinated
New York, June 25, 2010—A top editor of an independent Rwandan newspaper that was recently banned by the government was assassinated in front of his home late Thursday, according to local journalists and news reports.
An assailant shot Jean-Léonard Rugambage, acting editor of Umuvugizi as he drove through the gate of his home in the capital, Kigali, around 10 p.m., Rwanda National police spokesperson Eric Kayiranga told CPJ. “At the moment, we are yet to establish who is involved in the killing and police are currently conducting investigations and we will provide information as it comes,” he said.
Rwanda’s Media High Council suspended Umuvugizi’s right to publish in April. Soon after Umuvugizi moved online, its Web site became inaccessible to domestic visitors. Censorship of the publication, one of the few critical voices in the country, has come in the run-up to the August presidential election.
Rugambage had reported to friends and colleagues that he was being followed and had received phone threats, local journalists told CPJ. Jean-Bosco Gasasira, the exiled editor of Umuvugizi, told the U.S. government-funded Voice of America that he believed the killing was reprisal for a recent story alleging government involvement in the shooting of a former Rwandan army commander in South Africa.
“The brutal murder of Jean-Léonard Rugambage deals a savage blow to Rwanda’s already beleaguered independent media,” said Africa Advocacy Coordinator Mohamed Keita. “It comes amid a government crackdown on critical reporting ahead of the August presidential election, and raises serious questions about the safety of independent journalists in the country. The authorities must ensure that all those behind this murder, including the masterminds, are brought to justice swiftly.”
As the last Umuvugizi journalist remaining in Rwanda, Rugambage represented the newspaper in hearings in several court cases the newspaper is facing over its critical coverage of government affairs, according to local journalists.
Before joining Umuvugizi, Rugambage was a reporter for the now-defunct independent tabloid Umuco. He experienced 11 months of imprisonment after producing a story alleging mismanagement and witness tampering in Rwanda's traditional courts for suspects of the 1994 genocide. Rugambage, 34, is survived by a wife and a two-year-old daughter, according to local journalists.
An assailant shot Jean-Léonard Rugambage, acting editor of Umuvugizi as he drove through the gate of his home in the capital, Kigali, around 10 p.m., Rwanda National police spokesperson Eric Kayiranga told CPJ. “At the moment, we are yet to establish who is involved in the killing and police are currently conducting investigations and we will provide information as it comes,” he said.
Rwanda’s Media High Council suspended Umuvugizi’s right to publish in April. Soon after Umuvugizi moved online, its Web site became inaccessible to domestic visitors. Censorship of the publication, one of the few critical voices in the country, has come in the run-up to the August presidential election.
Rugambage had reported to friends and colleagues that he was being followed and had received phone threats, local journalists told CPJ. Jean-Bosco Gasasira, the exiled editor of Umuvugizi, told the U.S. government-funded Voice of America that he believed the killing was reprisal for a recent story alleging government involvement in the shooting of a former Rwandan army commander in South Africa.
“The brutal murder of Jean-Léonard Rugambage deals a savage blow to Rwanda’s already beleaguered independent media,” said Africa Advocacy Coordinator Mohamed Keita. “It comes amid a government crackdown on critical reporting ahead of the August presidential election, and raises serious questions about the safety of independent journalists in the country. The authorities must ensure that all those behind this murder, including the masterminds, are brought to justice swiftly.”
As the last Umuvugizi journalist remaining in Rwanda, Rugambage represented the newspaper in hearings in several court cases the newspaper is facing over its critical coverage of government affairs, according to local journalists.
Before joining Umuvugizi, Rugambage was a reporter for the now-defunct independent tabloid Umuco. He experienced 11 months of imprisonment after producing a story alleging mismanagement and witness tampering in Rwanda's traditional courts for suspects of the 1994 genocide. Rugambage, 34, is survived by a wife and a two-year-old daughter, according to local journalists.
Scandorous: Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital's Dental Department staff cash in on rural communities ignorance
Day light robbery is taking place at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH), Malawi's referral hospital in the Southern region, where staff members from the hospital's Dental department are charging patients referred from district hospitals a non-refundable K5,000 fee.
Ministry of Health procedures stipulate that patients referred from district hospitals should access free government medical services, but QECH Dental Department staff are taking advantage of high illiteracy rates to cash in on rural communities.
Four visits to the department last week, aimed at ascertaining patients complaints to Zachimalawi, revealed that, in deed, the complaints are true.
Zachimalawi went to Chilomoni Health Centre on the pretext of having cavities filled, and was subsequebtly referred (in writing) to the Dental Department at QECH. Chilomoni health centre officials emphasised that QECH would provide free treatment since Zachimalawi's was a referral case.
But Zachimalawi was amazed with the reception guy's demand, himself a professional dentist, that he pays K5,000 for 'being referred here because, as people, we also grow tired and need something for lunch".
Mary Dzimbiri and Margaret Chanza, two women who came from Thyolo District Hospital, were also told the same, failing which they were told they would not access medicine.
"We are in charge here," said the receptionist who, ironically, spends uch of his time at the reception when he was supposed to be helping people.
Three other dentists at the institution also refused to help Michael Galeta, a patient referred from Mulanje District Hospital for his refusal to cough K2,000 to be treated "immediately".
Galeta confirmed to Zachimalawi.
Zachimalawi spends an average 20 hours last week trying to find the truth, and its investigations and self-confessions from Dental department staff revealed that, at least, 11 relations to the Dental staff receive free medical services and drugs free of charge, yet rural,poor villagers from far away places are made to pay for free government services.
To add salt to an injury, two of the staff members told Zachimalawi that they dicided to make the decision after noting that government stocks were running fast, but acknowledged that it did not come as part a government directive.
"Actually, we use government stocks which are thoughly accounted for. When people pay, referred especially, it helps us in our planning and stock taking. Otherwise, we only issue one receipt for every six patients registered because we get something," said one of the staff members.
When Zachimalawi sought comments from QECH administrator, he offered to call at an oportune time. It never happened.
Malawi faces high levels of drug pilferage.
Zachimalawi has photocopied health passports of 20 patients who were charged K5,000 for free government services, and is ready to offer them as evidence.
Ministry of Health procedures stipulate that patients referred from district hospitals should access free government medical services, but QECH Dental Department staff are taking advantage of high illiteracy rates to cash in on rural communities.
Four visits to the department last week, aimed at ascertaining patients complaints to Zachimalawi, revealed that, in deed, the complaints are true.
Zachimalawi went to Chilomoni Health Centre on the pretext of having cavities filled, and was subsequebtly referred (in writing) to the Dental Department at QECH. Chilomoni health centre officials emphasised that QECH would provide free treatment since Zachimalawi's was a referral case.
But Zachimalawi was amazed with the reception guy's demand, himself a professional dentist, that he pays K5,000 for 'being referred here because, as people, we also grow tired and need something for lunch".
Mary Dzimbiri and Margaret Chanza, two women who came from Thyolo District Hospital, were also told the same, failing which they were told they would not access medicine.
"We are in charge here," said the receptionist who, ironically, spends uch of his time at the reception when he was supposed to be helping people.
Three other dentists at the institution also refused to help Michael Galeta, a patient referred from Mulanje District Hospital for his refusal to cough K2,000 to be treated "immediately".
Galeta confirmed to Zachimalawi.
Zachimalawi spends an average 20 hours last week trying to find the truth, and its investigations and self-confessions from Dental department staff revealed that, at least, 11 relations to the Dental staff receive free medical services and drugs free of charge, yet rural,poor villagers from far away places are made to pay for free government services.
To add salt to an injury, two of the staff members told Zachimalawi that they dicided to make the decision after noting that government stocks were running fast, but acknowledged that it did not come as part a government directive.
"Actually, we use government stocks which are thoughly accounted for. When people pay, referred especially, it helps us in our planning and stock taking. Otherwise, we only issue one receipt for every six patients registered because we get something," said one of the staff members.
When Zachimalawi sought comments from QECH administrator, he offered to call at an oportune time. It never happened.
Malawi faces high levels of drug pilferage.
Zachimalawi has photocopied health passports of 20 patients who were charged K5,000 for free government services, and is ready to offer them as evidence.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Bulletin of Jew Hatred June 1-23, 2010
June 1, 2010
Israel
The ongoing interrogation of passengers who were aboard the Marmara - the Gaza aid flotilla's flagship - revealed that the majority of those who attacked the Israeli Naval Commandos boarding the ship have direct and indirect Global Jihad ties. Israel's investigation has revealed some 100 people infiltrated the peace and humanitarian aid activists making their way to Gaza, with the explicit design to attack Israeli soldiers using cold arms.
June 8, 2010
Madrid, Spain
Muslim rioters attacked Israeli businessmen at a conference at a Madrid university.
USA
Boston area Conservative synagogue websites were hacked by an Indonesian Islamic group sympathetic to Hamas.
June 9, 2010
Morocco (Hat tip to Translating Jihad )
A Moroccan Musim makes it clear that the Jews should not be known as a "nationality or race," but rather a "people who embody wickedness, which has brought God's eternal curse upon them."
June 15, 2010
Egypt (Video. Hat tip to David Horowitz's NewsRealBlog )
An Egyptian (woman) lawyer advised that Arab jihadis sexually harass and molest Israeli girls.
June 16, 2010
The Netherlands
(Hat tip to IslaminEurope )
A report on socially acceptable Jew hatred in the Netherlands. Men cursed and attacked for wearing kippah in public.
June 22, 2010
The Netherlands
Dutch police will use "decoy Jews", disguising law enforcers in Jewish religious dress such as skullcaps, in an effort to catch anti-Semitic attackers.
June 23, 2010
Germany (translated for AtlasShrugs)
At an "Intercultural Day" in Hanover, Germany, Israeli folk dancers had stones thrown at them by Arab and Turkish boys yelling, "Jews out."
Produced by www.politicalislam.com
Publisher: Bill Warner; Editor: Asma Marwan
Israel
The ongoing interrogation of passengers who were aboard the Marmara - the Gaza aid flotilla's flagship - revealed that the majority of those who attacked the Israeli Naval Commandos boarding the ship have direct and indirect Global Jihad ties. Israel's investigation has revealed some 100 people infiltrated the peace and humanitarian aid activists making their way to Gaza, with the explicit design to attack Israeli soldiers using cold arms.
June 8, 2010
Madrid, Spain
Muslim rioters attacked Israeli businessmen at a conference at a Madrid university.
USA
Boston area Conservative synagogue websites were hacked by an Indonesian Islamic group sympathetic to Hamas.
June 9, 2010
Morocco (Hat tip to Translating Jihad )
A Moroccan Musim makes it clear that the Jews should not be known as a "nationality or race," but rather a "people who embody wickedness, which has brought God's eternal curse upon them."
June 15, 2010
Egypt (Video. Hat tip to David Horowitz's NewsRealBlog )
An Egyptian (woman) lawyer advised that Arab jihadis sexually harass and molest Israeli girls.
June 16, 2010
The Netherlands
(Hat tip to IslaminEurope )
A report on socially acceptable Jew hatred in the Netherlands. Men cursed and attacked for wearing kippah in public.
June 22, 2010
The Netherlands
Dutch police will use "decoy Jews", disguising law enforcers in Jewish religious dress such as skullcaps, in an effort to catch anti-Semitic attackers.
June 23, 2010
Germany (translated for AtlasShrugs)
At an "Intercultural Day" in Hanover, Germany, Israeli folk dancers had stones thrown at them by Arab and Turkish boys yelling, "Jews out."
Produced by www.politicalislam.com
Publisher: Bill Warner; Editor: Asma Marwan
Ndirande Health Centre staff doing commendable job
People, most of whom women, line up to get their children vaccinated. Others are in for Malaria and other Tropical diseases.
All of them are confident because they will be helped accordingly.
Welcome to Ndirande Health Centre, at the heart of Blantyre- Malawi's commercial city.
Ndirande is probably Blantyre's most populated township, with slaps to behold.
At the Health Centre. health personnel work tirelessly to help the never-ending throng of women, men , boys and girls in need of help. They never get disappointed.
The government of the Republic of Malawi, through the Ministry of Health, should be commended for a job well done. Most complicated medical procedures can be found at Ndirande, save for tooth cavity fill up materials.
Government would do well to look into that.
But one is lest assured that, at Ndirande Health Centre, they will be well taken care of.
Keep it up Government of Malawi; keep it up Ndirande Health Centre personnel. Yours is a noble job.
All of them are confident because they will be helped accordingly.
Welcome to Ndirande Health Centre, at the heart of Blantyre- Malawi's commercial city.
Ndirande is probably Blantyre's most populated township, with slaps to behold.
At the Health Centre. health personnel work tirelessly to help the never-ending throng of women, men , boys and girls in need of help. They never get disappointed.
The government of the Republic of Malawi, through the Ministry of Health, should be commended for a job well done. Most complicated medical procedures can be found at Ndirande, save for tooth cavity fill up materials.
Government would do well to look into that.
But one is lest assured that, at Ndirande Health Centre, they will be well taken care of.
Keep it up Government of Malawi; keep it up Ndirande Health Centre personnel. Yours is a noble job.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Salima villagers descend on gays
There was drama Tuesday at Kaphatenga in Salima district when a group of youths descended on two males who kissed each other as they waited for a commuter bus to Nkhotakota, a lakeshore district in Central Malawi.
The two, whose names could not be ascertained as they were whisked away in a Toyota Land cruiser, met their fate at the Salima-Nkhotakota Turn off.
Eye witnesses said one of the men started kissing the other in “broad day light, and this angered people who so them do it. The people, mostly youths, then descended on them and started beating them” because of their action.
“It was strange to us, and we wanted to show them that Malawian culture doesn’t tolerate that nonsense. Actually, these were gays because last month they did the same thing,” said Michael Chalima, a pig meat seller at the Kaphatenga Trading Centre.
As youths showed their orthodox Karate skills, a passer-by surprised them by quickly whisking the two away in his vehicle.
Malawi has come under international scrutiny, especially over gay issues, following the arrest, conviction and subsequent pardon of the country’s first gay couple of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga.
The two have since separated.
The two, whose names could not be ascertained as they were whisked away in a Toyota Land cruiser, met their fate at the Salima-Nkhotakota Turn off.
Eye witnesses said one of the men started kissing the other in “broad day light, and this angered people who so them do it. The people, mostly youths, then descended on them and started beating them” because of their action.
“It was strange to us, and we wanted to show them that Malawian culture doesn’t tolerate that nonsense. Actually, these were gays because last month they did the same thing,” said Michael Chalima, a pig meat seller at the Kaphatenga Trading Centre.
As youths showed their orthodox Karate skills, a passer-by surprised them by quickly whisking the two away in his vehicle.
Malawi has come under international scrutiny, especially over gay issues, following the arrest, conviction and subsequent pardon of the country’s first gay couple of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga.
The two have since separated.
Nigeria’s exist is good news to Africa. Why?
Remember that Nigerian brat called Kelvin?
The brat went away with the US$200, 000 Big Brother Africa coveted prize money and did not even remember Tanzanian Elizabeth.
Now what? You tell me Nigeria should have gone forth to the Second Group of 19!? That’s nonsense. Nigeria have had enough of life.
So, to you Nigerian National Soccer Team brats- yes, a shameless bunch of underachievers; missing such clear-cut goal scoring opportunities to break African hearts- I say: Go home, and fast.
Useless brats!
Timathalakisuti ngati anthu anzeru!
The brat went away with the US$200, 000 Big Brother Africa coveted prize money and did not even remember Tanzanian Elizabeth.
Now what? You tell me Nigeria should have gone forth to the Second Group of 19!? That’s nonsense. Nigeria have had enough of life.
So, to you Nigerian National Soccer Team brats- yes, a shameless bunch of underachievers; missing such clear-cut goal scoring opportunities to break African hearts- I say: Go home, and fast.
Useless brats!
Timathalakisuti ngati anthu anzeru!
Today’s quote on Nigeria
“When Nigeria want to go home, nothing, not even an unguarded goal posts, can derail them. They are so stubborn they die to go home!”- Richard Chirombo, Malawi
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Malawi Bureau of Standards takes Suncrest Creameries to task over hygiene
Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) officials on Sunday took dairy products manufacturer, Suncrest Creameries Limited, by surprise when they stormed its premises unannounced and queried management over poor hygiene.
MBS is a statutory body mandated to monitor and regulate standards of services and products.
The officials told company officials they needed to work on the hygienic problems, or else the institution would be closed for business.
However, Suncrest officials have hearkened to the call by rectifying all the problems by Monday morning.
Today, the premises and factory grounds are as clean as President Bingu wa Mutharika's neck-tie.
Directors have since called on MBS officials to go back and inspect the premises.
MBS classify company shortfalls into three categories: critical (in cases of food and medicine); Major and; minor.
MBS is a statutory body mandated to monitor and regulate standards of services and products.
The officials told company officials they needed to work on the hygienic problems, or else the institution would be closed for business.
However, Suncrest officials have hearkened to the call by rectifying all the problems by Monday morning.
Today, the premises and factory grounds are as clean as President Bingu wa Mutharika's neck-tie.
Directors have since called on MBS officials to go back and inspect the premises.
MBS classify company shortfalls into three categories: critical (in cases of food and medicine); Major and; minor.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Malawi president launches anti-child trafficking campaign
Malawi's president, Bingu wa Mutharika, has launched Malawi's first ever anti-child trafficking campaign in a bid to curb the practice, now on the increase in Malawi.
The initiative was launched on June 16, 2010 in Lilongwe, with the president promising to clamp down on child traffickers.
"Our children are being trafficked, and, often, the destination is South Africa and other European countries. We want to stop this," said an angry Mutharika.
Mutharika added that some children are being used to smuggle illegal drugs such as Indian hemp, cocaine, among others.
"Traffickers staff these illicit drugs in the (children's) stomachs, on the pretext that they are pregnant. Border officials just watch because they are unaware of the tricks. We want to end this," said Mutharika.
The President said child trafficking was on the increase in Malawi, accusing some high ranking officials of perpetuating the practice.
"If an honourable individual takes part in child trafficking and abuse, they are not honourable. Let the law take its course. I am angered by the soft sentences meted on offenders. Six months! You must be joking," he said.
The initiative was launched on June 16, 2010 in Lilongwe, with the president promising to clamp down on child traffickers.
"Our children are being trafficked, and, often, the destination is South Africa and other European countries. We want to stop this," said an angry Mutharika.
Mutharika added that some children are being used to smuggle illegal drugs such as Indian hemp, cocaine, among others.
"Traffickers staff these illicit drugs in the (children's) stomachs, on the pretext that they are pregnant. Border officials just watch because they are unaware of the tricks. We want to end this," said Mutharika.
The President said child trafficking was on the increase in Malawi, accusing some high ranking officials of perpetuating the practice.
"If an honourable individual takes part in child trafficking and abuse, they are not honourable. Let the law take its course. I am angered by the soft sentences meted on offenders. Six months! You must be joking," he said.
Ethiopia expels American journalist reporting in rebel area
New York, June 18, 2010—Authorities in Ethiopia expelled an American journalist on Thursday who had been reporting near a rebel area in the east of the Horn of Africa country, according to local journalists.
Heather Murdock had been reporting with the U.S. international broadcaster Voice of America (VOA) in the eastern region of Harar, near an area where there was reported skirmishes between the army and rebels of the separatist Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), according to the same sources. The Ethiopian government has denied journalists independent access to the restive Ogaden province, which neighbors the Harar region, and attempted to censor an exclusive report on the rebels last year, according to CPJ research. Under Ethiopia’s draconian anti-terrorism law, journalists risk as many as 20 years in prison if authorities deem their reporting favorable to armed rebels and banned opposition groups.
VOA confirmed to CPJ that Murdock had left the country. Assistants to Ethiopian government spokesmen Bereket Simon and Shemelis Kemal told CPJ the officials were not available for comment. The Ethiopian government announced plans to officially jam VOA in March, after reports that there had been electronic jamming of the station’s Amharic-language shortwave broadcasts and that its Web site had been blocked in the country.
“We condemn the expulsion of Heather Murdock,” said CPJ Africa Advocacy Coordinator Mohamed Keita. “Ethiopian authorities have for years used the threat of expulsion to induce self-censorship among foreign journalists working in the country.”
Murdock arrived in Ethiopia last month after she was expelled from Yemen in April following a reporting trip to strongholds of Yemen’s armed separatist Southern Movement, according to news reports. In Ethiopia, she covered the country’s general election and its aftermath, among other topics.
Heather Murdock had been reporting with the U.S. international broadcaster Voice of America (VOA) in the eastern region of Harar, near an area where there was reported skirmishes between the army and rebels of the separatist Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), according to the same sources. The Ethiopian government has denied journalists independent access to the restive Ogaden province, which neighbors the Harar region, and attempted to censor an exclusive report on the rebels last year, according to CPJ research. Under Ethiopia’s draconian anti-terrorism law, journalists risk as many as 20 years in prison if authorities deem their reporting favorable to armed rebels and banned opposition groups.
VOA confirmed to CPJ that Murdock had left the country. Assistants to Ethiopian government spokesmen Bereket Simon and Shemelis Kemal told CPJ the officials were not available for comment. The Ethiopian government announced plans to officially jam VOA in March, after reports that there had been electronic jamming of the station’s Amharic-language shortwave broadcasts and that its Web site had been blocked in the country.
“We condemn the expulsion of Heather Murdock,” said CPJ Africa Advocacy Coordinator Mohamed Keita. “Ethiopian authorities have for years used the threat of expulsion to induce self-censorship among foreign journalists working in the country.”
Murdock arrived in Ethiopia last month after she was expelled from Yemen in April following a reporting trip to strongholds of Yemen’s armed separatist Southern Movement, according to news reports. In Ethiopia, she covered the country’s general election and its aftermath, among other topics.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Bingu interrupts World Cup matches
President Bingu wa Mutharika is riling Malawians over his live and repeat broadcasts on Malawi Televison (TVM) when World Cup matches are in session.
TVM has this week interrupted the soccer matches, the first time on the continent, at least twice, forcing Malawians who rely on the state broadcaster to cough a fortune to watch the matches in video rooms.
TVM is said to be a public broadcaster, yet it is registered as a private company- a pointer, yet again, of Malawi's archaic laws.
Mutharika is the current African Union chairperson, and his decision to allow TVM broadcast his functions when World Cup matches are in progress in making him more enemies than friends.
The enemy is the common man, while the friends are the foreign dignitaries who visit him and interrupt World Cup matches when, in fact, they record or watch the matches at their preferred time.
John Changalume, one of the soccer addicts, says Mutharika should ban TVM from broadcasting his functions when the matches are in session.
"Perhaps he doesn't care because he will not stand for presidency again in 2014. But it's a bad decision bordering on poor timing. The guy should have good advisers,' said Changalume in Blantyre.
TVM has this week interrupted the soccer matches, the first time on the continent, at least twice, forcing Malawians who rely on the state broadcaster to cough a fortune to watch the matches in video rooms.
TVM is said to be a public broadcaster, yet it is registered as a private company- a pointer, yet again, of Malawi's archaic laws.
Mutharika is the current African Union chairperson, and his decision to allow TVM broadcast his functions when World Cup matches are in progress in making him more enemies than friends.
The enemy is the common man, while the friends are the foreign dignitaries who visit him and interrupt World Cup matches when, in fact, they record or watch the matches at their preferred time.
John Changalume, one of the soccer addicts, says Mutharika should ban TVM from broadcasting his functions when the matches are in session.
"Perhaps he doesn't care because he will not stand for presidency again in 2014. But it's a bad decision bordering on poor timing. The guy should have good advisers,' said Changalume in Blantyre.
An exodus from Iran, East Africa
New York, June 17, 2010—At least 29 Iranian editors, reporters, and photographers fled into exile over the past 12 months, the highest annual tally from a single country in a decade, a new survey by the Committee to Protect Journalists has found. At the same time, there was a significant spike in the number of journalists fleeing violence and harassment in east Africa, CPJ found in its 2010 annual report on journalists in exile, “An exodus from Iran, East Africa.”
Worldwide, at least 85 journalists fled their home countries over the past 12 months, CPJ found in its survey, which marks World Refugee Day, June 20, and highlights the plight of journalists who are forced to leave their homes in the face of attacks, threats, or the possibility of imprisonment. This year’s total, which counts journalists who went into exile from June 1, 2009 to May 31, 2010, is double the number recorded in the prior 12-month period. The tally is comparable to the decade’s previous high of 82, which CPJ recorded in 2007-08.
Worldwide, at least 85 journalists fled their home countries over the past 12 months, CPJ found in its survey, which marks World Refugee Day, June 20, and highlights the plight of journalists who are forced to leave their homes in the face of attacks, threats, or the possibility of imprisonment. This year’s total, which counts journalists who went into exile from June 1, 2009 to May 31, 2010, is double the number recorded in the prior 12-month period. The tally is comparable to the decade’s previous high of 82, which CPJ recorded in 2007-08.
Evils of colonialism still wrecking lives
By Peter Tatchell - Human rights campaigner
The Independent - London - 19 May 2010
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/peter-tatchell-evils-of-colonialism-still-wrecking-lives-1976405.html
The conviction by a Malawian court of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga on charges of homosexuality is the latest example of how, more than four decades after most African nations won their independence, the evils of colonialism continue to wreck lives.
The two men face up to 14 years jail under laws that were imposed on the people of Malawi by the British colonisers in the nineteenth century. Before the British came and conquered Malawi, there were no laws against homosexuality. These laws are a foreign imposition. They are not African at all. Despite independence, these alien criminalisations were never repealed.
Today, the minds of many Malawians - and other Africans - remain colonised by the homophobic beliefs that were drummed into their forebears by the western missionaries who invaded their lands alongside the conquering imperial armies. The missionaries preached a harsh, intolerant Christianity, which has been so successfully internalised by many Africans that they now claim homophobia as their own culture and tradition.
While many African leaders decry homosexuality as a "western disease" or a "white man's import," the truth is very different. Prior to colonisation, many tribal societies and kingdoms had a more relaxed attitude to same-sex relations than the subsequent colonial occupiers.
As Rudi C Bleys documented in his book, The Geography of Perversion, the existence and, sometimes toleration, of same-sex acts was used by the colonising European nations to justify what they saw as their "civilising" mission. To them, homosexuality among indigenous peoples was proof of their "barbarity" and confirmation of western theories of racial superiority.
Homophobia in Africa is mostly a colonial imposition. But this is no excuse for these now independent nations to perpetuate colonial-era anti-gay laws and attitudes. It is time to finish the African liberation struggle by ending the persecution of gay Africans.
The Independent - London - 19 May 2010
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/peter-tatchell-evils-of-colonialism-still-wrecking-lives-1976405.html
The conviction by a Malawian court of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga on charges of homosexuality is the latest example of how, more than four decades after most African nations won their independence, the evils of colonialism continue to wreck lives.
The two men face up to 14 years jail under laws that were imposed on the people of Malawi by the British colonisers in the nineteenth century. Before the British came and conquered Malawi, there were no laws against homosexuality. These laws are a foreign imposition. They are not African at all. Despite independence, these alien criminalisations were never repealed.
Today, the minds of many Malawians - and other Africans - remain colonised by the homophobic beliefs that were drummed into their forebears by the western missionaries who invaded their lands alongside the conquering imperial armies. The missionaries preached a harsh, intolerant Christianity, which has been so successfully internalised by many Africans that they now claim homophobia as their own culture and tradition.
While many African leaders decry homosexuality as a "western disease" or a "white man's import," the truth is very different. Prior to colonisation, many tribal societies and kingdoms had a more relaxed attitude to same-sex relations than the subsequent colonial occupiers.
As Rudi C Bleys documented in his book, The Geography of Perversion, the existence and, sometimes toleration, of same-sex acts was used by the colonising European nations to justify what they saw as their "civilising" mission. To them, homosexuality among indigenous peoples was proof of their "barbarity" and confirmation of western theories of racial superiority.
Homophobia in Africa is mostly a colonial imposition. But this is no excuse for these now independent nations to perpetuate colonial-era anti-gay laws and attitudes. It is time to finish the African liberation struggle by ending the persecution of gay Africans.
Lest we forget. What the world said on gays' conviction: Malawi gay trial verdict "unjust and cruel"
Steven Monjeza & Tiwonge Chimbalanga found guilty of homosexuality
Convicted men hope that an appeal will overturn magistrate's decision
London - 18 May 2010
"This is an outrageous verdict. While Steven and Tiwonge freely confirmed their love for each other, there was was no credible evidence that they had committed any illegal homosexual acts," said London-based human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell who has been supporting and advocating for the men since their arrest and detention in December last year.
He was commenting on the trial result today of two men who were prosecuted in Malawi on charges of homosexuality, Steven Monjeza (26) and Tiwonge Chimbalanga (20).
"The law under which they were convicted is a discriminatory law that only applies to same-sex relations. It is unconstitutional. Article 20 of Malawi's constitution guarantees equality and non-discrimination. The law in Malawi is not supposed to discriminate," added Mr Tatchell.
"Malawi's anti-gay laws were not devised by Malawians. They were devised in London in the nineteenth century and imposed on the people of Malawi by the British colonisers and their army of occupation. Before the British came and conquered Malawi, there were no laws against homosexuality. These laws are a foreign imposition. They are not African laws.
"I expect both men will now appeal against the verdict and against any sentence that is handed down. Steven and Tiwonge's best hope is that a higher court will overturn this unjust, cruel verdict.
"With so much hatred and violence in the world, it is bizarre that any court would criminalise two people for loving each other.
"The magistrate was biased from outset. He refused the two men bail, which is very unusual in cases of non-violent offences. In Malawi, bail is normal. It is often granted to robbers and violent criminals. Denying Steven and Tiwonge bail was an act of vindictiveness.
"I appeal to governments worldwide, especially the South African government, to condemn this harsh, bigoted judgement and to urge its reversal," said Mr Tatchell.
Prior to the verdict, Tiwonge and Steven issued a defiant message from their prison cell. It affirmed their love for each other and thanked their supporters in Malawi and worldwide.
Tiwonge said: "I love Steven so much. If people or the world cannot give me the chance and freedom to continue living with him as my lover, then I am better off to die here in prison. Freedom without him is useless and meaningless."
"We have come a long way and even if our family relatives are not happy, I will not and never stop loving Tiwonge," said Steven.
The two men's messages were relayed from inside Chichiri Prison in Blantyre, Malawi, to Peter Tatchell of the LGBT human rights group OutRage! in London, England.
Tiwonge and Steven stressed their gratitude for the support they have received from fellow Malawians and from people around the world:
"We are thankful for the people who have rallied behind us during this difficult time. We are grateful to the people who visit and support us, which really makes us feel to be members of a human family; otherwise we would feel condemned," said Tiwonge.
Steven added: "All the support is well appreciated. We are grateful to everybody who is doing this for us. May people please continue the commendable job...Prison life is very difficult."
Peter Tatchell expressed his admiration of the two men:
"Steven and Tiwonge are showing immense fortitude and courage. They declared their love in a society where many people - not all - are very intolerant and homophobic. This was a very brave thing to do. Although suffering in prison, they are unbowed. They continue to maintain their love and affirm their human right to be treated with dignity and respect," said Mr Tatchell.
"They have taken a pioneering stand for the right to love. They love each other, have harmed no one and believe that love should not be a crime. It is nobody's business what they do in the privacy of their own home. There is no evidence that they have committed any crime under Malawian law. They should never have been put on trial. Even prior to their conviction, they had already spent nearly five months behind bars.
"OutRage! is supporting Steven and Tiwonge. For the last four months, we have arranged extra food to supplement the men's meagre, poor quality prison rations.
"We pay tribute to the other people and organisations who are giving legal and medical assistance to the detained men. This is a huge help. Steven and Tiwonge have asked me to communicate their appreciation," said Mr Tatchell.
Sixty-seven British MPs have signed a House of Commons Early Day Motion (EDM 564), which condemns the arrest and trial of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga.
http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=40143&SESSION=903
Amnesty International has adopted Steven and Tiwonge as Prisoners of Conscience:
http://www.amnesty.org.uk/actions_details.asp?ActionID=682
Until quite recently Steven and Tiwonge did not realise that they had been adopted as Prisoners of Conscience by Amnesty International. When this news was relayed to them in prison they were, to quote one source: "Very happy with the effort made by Amnesty International to accord them this status. They offer their thanks to Amnesty."
Tiwonge and Steven have also expressed appreciation for the protest on their behalf in London on 22 March.
See photos of the protest here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/outrage/sets/72157623672689772/
See videos of the protest here:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Malawi+protest+london&aq=f
The two men thanked London-based African and British activists who have lobbied the Malawian Ambassador and the Commonwealth Secretary-General and Human Rights Unit to seek their release and to secure medical treatment for Steven.
Steven's condition has stabilised but he remains very ill. He is thin and weak and has jaundiced eyes, according to an eye-witness who saw him last weekend.
Tiwonge and Steven are urging continued protests to "get our release and the dropping of charges by the Malawi government."
Write a letter to Steven and Tiwonge
Help boost their spirits. Show them you care. Send a letter or postcard of support to Steven and Tiwonge:
Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza, Prisoners, Chichiri Prison, P.O.Box 30117, Blantyre 3, Malawi
Constitution of Malawi - Article 20:
Discrimination of persons in any form is prohibited and all persons are...guaranteed equal and effective protection against discrimination on grounds of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, nationality, ethnic or social origin, disability, property, birth or other status.
"Or other status" means on other grounds, which includes sexual orientation.
See here:
http://www.icrc.org/IHL-NAT.NSF/162d151af444ded44125673e00508141/4953f2286ef1f7c2c1257129003696f4/$FILE/Constitution%20Malawi%20-%20EN.pdf
African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights - Articles 2, 3 and 4:
Article 2
Every individual shall be entitled to the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms recognized and guaranteed in the present Charter without distinction of any kind such as race, ethnic group, color, sex, language, religion, political or any other opinion, national and social origin, fortune, birth or other status.
Article 3
1. Every individual shall be equal before the law. 2. Every individual shall be entitled to equal protection of the law.
Article 4
Human beings are inviolable. Every human being shall be entitled to respect for his life and the integrity of his person. No one may be arbitrarily deprived of this right.
See here:
http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/instree/z1afchar.htm
Confirmation of Malawi's signature, ratification and accession
http://www.africa-union.org/root/au/Documents/Treaties/List/African%20Charter%20on%20Human%20and%20Peoples%20Rights.pdf
Convicted men hope that an appeal will overturn magistrate's decision
London - 18 May 2010
"This is an outrageous verdict. While Steven and Tiwonge freely confirmed their love for each other, there was was no credible evidence that they had committed any illegal homosexual acts," said London-based human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell who has been supporting and advocating for the men since their arrest and detention in December last year.
He was commenting on the trial result today of two men who were prosecuted in Malawi on charges of homosexuality, Steven Monjeza (26) and Tiwonge Chimbalanga (20).
"The law under which they were convicted is a discriminatory law that only applies to same-sex relations. It is unconstitutional. Article 20 of Malawi's constitution guarantees equality and non-discrimination. The law in Malawi is not supposed to discriminate," added Mr Tatchell.
"Malawi's anti-gay laws were not devised by Malawians. They were devised in London in the nineteenth century and imposed on the people of Malawi by the British colonisers and their army of occupation. Before the British came and conquered Malawi, there were no laws against homosexuality. These laws are a foreign imposition. They are not African laws.
"I expect both men will now appeal against the verdict and against any sentence that is handed down. Steven and Tiwonge's best hope is that a higher court will overturn this unjust, cruel verdict.
"With so much hatred and violence in the world, it is bizarre that any court would criminalise two people for loving each other.
"The magistrate was biased from outset. He refused the two men bail, which is very unusual in cases of non-violent offences. In Malawi, bail is normal. It is often granted to robbers and violent criminals. Denying Steven and Tiwonge bail was an act of vindictiveness.
"I appeal to governments worldwide, especially the South African government, to condemn this harsh, bigoted judgement and to urge its reversal," said Mr Tatchell.
Prior to the verdict, Tiwonge and Steven issued a defiant message from their prison cell. It affirmed their love for each other and thanked their supporters in Malawi and worldwide.
Tiwonge said: "I love Steven so much. If people or the world cannot give me the chance and freedom to continue living with him as my lover, then I am better off to die here in prison. Freedom without him is useless and meaningless."
"We have come a long way and even if our family relatives are not happy, I will not and never stop loving Tiwonge," said Steven.
The two men's messages were relayed from inside Chichiri Prison in Blantyre, Malawi, to Peter Tatchell of the LGBT human rights group OutRage! in London, England.
Tiwonge and Steven stressed their gratitude for the support they have received from fellow Malawians and from people around the world:
"We are thankful for the people who have rallied behind us during this difficult time. We are grateful to the people who visit and support us, which really makes us feel to be members of a human family; otherwise we would feel condemned," said Tiwonge.
Steven added: "All the support is well appreciated. We are grateful to everybody who is doing this for us. May people please continue the commendable job...Prison life is very difficult."
Peter Tatchell expressed his admiration of the two men:
"Steven and Tiwonge are showing immense fortitude and courage. They declared their love in a society where many people - not all - are very intolerant and homophobic. This was a very brave thing to do. Although suffering in prison, they are unbowed. They continue to maintain their love and affirm their human right to be treated with dignity and respect," said Mr Tatchell.
"They have taken a pioneering stand for the right to love. They love each other, have harmed no one and believe that love should not be a crime. It is nobody's business what they do in the privacy of their own home. There is no evidence that they have committed any crime under Malawian law. They should never have been put on trial. Even prior to their conviction, they had already spent nearly five months behind bars.
"OutRage! is supporting Steven and Tiwonge. For the last four months, we have arranged extra food to supplement the men's meagre, poor quality prison rations.
"We pay tribute to the other people and organisations who are giving legal and medical assistance to the detained men. This is a huge help. Steven and Tiwonge have asked me to communicate their appreciation," said Mr Tatchell.
Sixty-seven British MPs have signed a House of Commons Early Day Motion (EDM 564), which condemns the arrest and trial of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga.
http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=40143&SESSION=903
Amnesty International has adopted Steven and Tiwonge as Prisoners of Conscience:
http://www.amnesty.org.uk/actions_details.asp?ActionID=682
Until quite recently Steven and Tiwonge did not realise that they had been adopted as Prisoners of Conscience by Amnesty International. When this news was relayed to them in prison they were, to quote one source: "Very happy with the effort made by Amnesty International to accord them this status. They offer their thanks to Amnesty."
Tiwonge and Steven have also expressed appreciation for the protest on their behalf in London on 22 March.
See photos of the protest here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/outrage/sets/72157623672689772/
See videos of the protest here:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Malawi+protest+london&aq=f
The two men thanked London-based African and British activists who have lobbied the Malawian Ambassador and the Commonwealth Secretary-General and Human Rights Unit to seek their release and to secure medical treatment for Steven.
Steven's condition has stabilised but he remains very ill. He is thin and weak and has jaundiced eyes, according to an eye-witness who saw him last weekend.
Tiwonge and Steven are urging continued protests to "get our release and the dropping of charges by the Malawi government."
Write a letter to Steven and Tiwonge
Help boost their spirits. Show them you care. Send a letter or postcard of support to Steven and Tiwonge:
Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza, Prisoners, Chichiri Prison, P.O.Box 30117, Blantyre 3, Malawi
Constitution of Malawi - Article 20:
Discrimination of persons in any form is prohibited and all persons are...guaranteed equal and effective protection against discrimination on grounds of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, nationality, ethnic or social origin, disability, property, birth or other status.
"Or other status" means on other grounds, which includes sexual orientation.
See here:
http://www.icrc.org/IHL-NAT.NSF/162d151af444ded44125673e00508141/4953f2286ef1f7c2c1257129003696f4/$FILE/Constitution%20Malawi%20-%20EN.pdf
African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights - Articles 2, 3 and 4:
Article 2
Every individual shall be entitled to the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms recognized and guaranteed in the present Charter without distinction of any kind such as race, ethnic group, color, sex, language, religion, political or any other opinion, national and social origin, fortune, birth or other status.
Article 3
1. Every individual shall be equal before the law. 2. Every individual shall be entitled to equal protection of the law.
Article 4
Human beings are inviolable. Every human being shall be entitled to respect for his life and the integrity of his person. No one may be arbitrarily deprived of this right.
See here:
http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/instree/z1afchar.htm
Confirmation of Malawi's signature, ratification and accession
http://www.africa-union.org/root/au/Documents/Treaties/List/African%20Charter%20on%20Human%20and%20Peoples%20Rights.pdf
From London: Protest Against Sharia & Religious Laws
One Law For All
Defend Muslims against religious tyranny
Sunday 20 June
2pm to 4pm
Richmond Terrace, Whitehall, London SW1 (opposite Downing Street).
Nearest tube Westminster
http://petertatchell.net/religion/protest-against-sharia-&-religious-laws.html
4pm, march to Iranian Embassy - Solidarity with the Iranian people's struggle for democracy and human rights
Hundreds will be demonstrating in London against Sharia and all religious laws and in support of secularism and universal human rights on Sunday 20 June 2010.
The rally, organised by the One Law for All Campaign, will be held from 2pm to 4pm at Richmond Terrace, in Whitehall, opposite Downing Street, SW1.
On the day, the Campaign will make public its new report entitled: Sharia Law in Britain: A Threat to One Law for All and Equal Rights.
In the report, One Law for All outlines what Sharia law is, how it is practised in Britain and exposes the way in which Sharia Councils and Muslim Arbitration Tribunals are circumventing British law and human rights legislation. The report also reveals the gross injustices to women and children and reiterates the need to end Sharia and all religious courts on the basis that they work against,and not for, equality and human rights.
After the One Law for All rally, there will be a march organised by Iran Solidarity from 4pm to 5pm. The march will move from Opposite Downing Street to a protest at the embassy of the Islamic regime of Iran.
According to One Law For All spokesperson, Maryam Namazie:
"Whilst racist and far Right groups like the English Defence League and the British Nationalist Party blame 'Muslim immigration' for Sharia law in order to further their inhuman agenda, it is people living under Islamic laws, or the many who have fled Sharia and sought refuge here, who are the principal victims of Islamism, and in the forefront of the struggle against it.
"Within this context, the One Law for All Campaign and the fight against Sharia law in Britain is an important front in the ongoing battle of people in Iran and everywhere against Islamism and for freedom, equality and secularism," she said.
The march will culminate in a protest rally in front of the embassy of the Islamic regime of Iran (16 Prince's Gate, London SW7 1PT; closest underground: Knightsbridge). The protest at the embassy will end at 5.30pm.
The One Law For All campaign is supported by human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell. He added:
"We are here to defend Muslim people - and all people everywhere - who are victims of religious tyranny.
"Many Islamic states use religious laws to persecute Muslims who leave their faith or who belong to minority strands of Islam. They also restrict the rights of people who follow non-Muslim religions or who are non-believers.
"Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Muslims are harassed and can face punishment, under religious laws, including flogging, imprisonment and, sometimes, torture and execution.
"We support all the victims of Sharia law, especially the courageous Muslim women who are campaigning for equality. We cannot accept the way Islamic states, including western allies like Saudi Arabia, restrict women's freedom of movement, make women subject to the control of male guardians, deny women access to certain jobs and positions in government and enforce the compulsory veiling of women with the hijab, niqab, jilbab or burqa.
"We stand in opposition to all religious laws in Britain and worldwide.
"This protest supports secular democracy. Secularism is often confused with anti-clericalism. The two are not the same. Secularism is not against religion per se. It is against giving religion privileged status, rights and protections.
"We believe there should be a separation of religion from the state. No faith should dominate any government and seek to impose its creed on the rest of society. When this happens, freedom of expression is diminished and minority faiths are victimised.
"For these reasons, secularism is not only an important element of freedom of expression. It is also the best guarantee of religious freedom, as it prevents any one faith becoming politically dominant and abusing its powers to oppress people of other faiths.
"We express our support for the many courageous, inspiring Muslims who are campaigning against the inequalities and inhumanities of Sharia law, often at great risk to their liberty and life.
"Contrary to what our critics say, this is not an attack on Muslims or Islam. We are here to support Muslims who are resisting Sharia law.
"We defend Muslims and people of all faiths against hatred and discrimination. The victimisation of people because of their religious beliefs is just as wrong as victimising people because of their race, gender or sexuality.
"In a democracy, everyone should be subject to the same laws, with the same rights and responsibilities. Religious rulings should not influence the laws or courts in any way.
"We believe that Muslims and all peoples worldwide should have rights, freedoms and choices, in accordance with the principles of equality and non-discrimination that are enshrined in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These are not western values. They are international humanitarian values, agreed by the global consensus of the member states of the UN.
"It is wrong to tolerate the denial of human rights to non-white Muslims in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, when most of us would never tolerate the denial of these rights to white (and non-white) people in Britain.
"There should be no double standards. No moral or cultural relativism. Defend universal human rights. One law for all," said Mr Tatchell.
For more information:
One Law For All Campaign
http://www.onelawforall.org.uk/20-june-2010/
Maryam Namazie
BM Box 1919
London WC1N 3XX, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 7719166731 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting +44 (0) 7719166731 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
maryamnamazie@googlemail.com
www.maryamnamazie.com
maryamnamazie.blogspot.com
Defend Muslims against religious tyranny
Sunday 20 June
2pm to 4pm
Richmond Terrace, Whitehall, London SW1 (opposite Downing Street).
Nearest tube Westminster
http://petertatchell.net/religion/protest-against-sharia-&-religious-laws.html
4pm, march to Iranian Embassy - Solidarity with the Iranian people's struggle for democracy and human rights
Hundreds will be demonstrating in London against Sharia and all religious laws and in support of secularism and universal human rights on Sunday 20 June 2010.
The rally, organised by the One Law for All Campaign, will be held from 2pm to 4pm at Richmond Terrace, in Whitehall, opposite Downing Street, SW1.
On the day, the Campaign will make public its new report entitled: Sharia Law in Britain: A Threat to One Law for All and Equal Rights.
In the report, One Law for All outlines what Sharia law is, how it is practised in Britain and exposes the way in which Sharia Councils and Muslim Arbitration Tribunals are circumventing British law and human rights legislation. The report also reveals the gross injustices to women and children and reiterates the need to end Sharia and all religious courts on the basis that they work against,and not for, equality and human rights.
After the One Law for All rally, there will be a march organised by Iran Solidarity from 4pm to 5pm. The march will move from Opposite Downing Street to a protest at the embassy of the Islamic regime of Iran.
According to One Law For All spokesperson, Maryam Namazie:
"Whilst racist and far Right groups like the English Defence League and the British Nationalist Party blame 'Muslim immigration' for Sharia law in order to further their inhuman agenda, it is people living under Islamic laws, or the many who have fled Sharia and sought refuge here, who are the principal victims of Islamism, and in the forefront of the struggle against it.
"Within this context, the One Law for All Campaign and the fight against Sharia law in Britain is an important front in the ongoing battle of people in Iran and everywhere against Islamism and for freedom, equality and secularism," she said.
The march will culminate in a protest rally in front of the embassy of the Islamic regime of Iran (16 Prince's Gate, London SW7 1PT; closest underground: Knightsbridge). The protest at the embassy will end at 5.30pm.
The One Law For All campaign is supported by human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell. He added:
"We are here to defend Muslim people - and all people everywhere - who are victims of religious tyranny.
"Many Islamic states use religious laws to persecute Muslims who leave their faith or who belong to minority strands of Islam. They also restrict the rights of people who follow non-Muslim religions or who are non-believers.
"Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Muslims are harassed and can face punishment, under religious laws, including flogging, imprisonment and, sometimes, torture and execution.
"We support all the victims of Sharia law, especially the courageous Muslim women who are campaigning for equality. We cannot accept the way Islamic states, including western allies like Saudi Arabia, restrict women's freedom of movement, make women subject to the control of male guardians, deny women access to certain jobs and positions in government and enforce the compulsory veiling of women with the hijab, niqab, jilbab or burqa.
"We stand in opposition to all religious laws in Britain and worldwide.
"This protest supports secular democracy. Secularism is often confused with anti-clericalism. The two are not the same. Secularism is not against religion per se. It is against giving religion privileged status, rights and protections.
"We believe there should be a separation of religion from the state. No faith should dominate any government and seek to impose its creed on the rest of society. When this happens, freedom of expression is diminished and minority faiths are victimised.
"For these reasons, secularism is not only an important element of freedom of expression. It is also the best guarantee of religious freedom, as it prevents any one faith becoming politically dominant and abusing its powers to oppress people of other faiths.
"We express our support for the many courageous, inspiring Muslims who are campaigning against the inequalities and inhumanities of Sharia law, often at great risk to their liberty and life.
"Contrary to what our critics say, this is not an attack on Muslims or Islam. We are here to support Muslims who are resisting Sharia law.
"We defend Muslims and people of all faiths against hatred and discrimination. The victimisation of people because of their religious beliefs is just as wrong as victimising people because of their race, gender or sexuality.
"In a democracy, everyone should be subject to the same laws, with the same rights and responsibilities. Religious rulings should not influence the laws or courts in any way.
"We believe that Muslims and all peoples worldwide should have rights, freedoms and choices, in accordance with the principles of equality and non-discrimination that are enshrined in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These are not western values. They are international humanitarian values, agreed by the global consensus of the member states of the UN.
"It is wrong to tolerate the denial of human rights to non-white Muslims in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, when most of us would never tolerate the denial of these rights to white (and non-white) people in Britain.
"There should be no double standards. No moral or cultural relativism. Defend universal human rights. One law for all," said Mr Tatchell.
For more information:
One Law For All Campaign
http://www.onelawforall.org.uk/20-june-2010/
Maryam Namazie
BM Box 1919
London WC1N 3XX, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 7719166731 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting +44 (0) 7719166731 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
maryamnamazie@googlemail.com
www.maryamnamazie.com
maryamnamazie.blogspot.com
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Sudi Sulaimana gives Steven Monjeza K100, 000
Former Zomba City Parliamentary aspirant, Sudi Sulaimana, yesterday (Tuesday) gave Steven Monjeza K100,000 as a start up package for his family, a week after the pardoned gay announced his decision to marry a Blantyre-based lady, Dorothy Gulo.
Monjeza was pardoned by President Bingu wa Mutharika alongside Tiwonge Chimbalanga. The two became the first Malawians to be convicted and sentenced to 14 years inprisonment with hard labour on charges of gross indecency and having sex against the order of nature.
Monjeza then surprised the world when he announced that he had changed his mind over the relationship with Chimbalanga, and would now share the rest of his life with Gulo.
The decision angered Chimbalanga, who accused Monjeza of trying to 'break my heart, because he knows that we were in real love'.
Sulaimana told Zachimalawi when he presented the K100, 000 he dicided to help out because he was pleased with Monjeza's decision to abandon "evil, and seek out the best thing in the world: a wife".
"I am happy that Monjeza realised that homosexuality was not the best way of going on with life, and has decided to find a 'real' partner in life. It is a good decision he has made," said Sulaimana.
He added: "Actually, I realised that he (Monjeza) has been going through hardships in terms of finances, and (I) felt that the best way to help them start their family is to give them some cash. I am really happy for them (Monjeza and Dorothy)," said Sulaimana.
Since their pardoning some three weeks ago, Chimbalanga and Monjeza have been living in separate places; Chimbalanga in Lilongwe with some well-wishers while Monjeza has been staying in Blantyre, left to fend for himself.
In an interview, Monjeza expressed his disappointment with the treatment people have been according Chimbalanga, saying, of the two, he is the one who has been going through thick and thin.
"But I am happy, anyway, that people have started coming out to help. It will really give me a heady start in marriage with Dorothy. People should know that I am now in love, and will not abandon Dorothy. We are in it forever," said Monjeza.
He asked other people to follow suit.
Monjeza was pardoned by President Bingu wa Mutharika alongside Tiwonge Chimbalanga. The two became the first Malawians to be convicted and sentenced to 14 years inprisonment with hard labour on charges of gross indecency and having sex against the order of nature.
Monjeza then surprised the world when he announced that he had changed his mind over the relationship with Chimbalanga, and would now share the rest of his life with Gulo.
The decision angered Chimbalanga, who accused Monjeza of trying to 'break my heart, because he knows that we were in real love'.
Sulaimana told Zachimalawi when he presented the K100, 000 he dicided to help out because he was pleased with Monjeza's decision to abandon "evil, and seek out the best thing in the world: a wife".
"I am happy that Monjeza realised that homosexuality was not the best way of going on with life, and has decided to find a 'real' partner in life. It is a good decision he has made," said Sulaimana.
He added: "Actually, I realised that he (Monjeza) has been going through hardships in terms of finances, and (I) felt that the best way to help them start their family is to give them some cash. I am really happy for them (Monjeza and Dorothy)," said Sulaimana.
Since their pardoning some three weeks ago, Chimbalanga and Monjeza have been living in separate places; Chimbalanga in Lilongwe with some well-wishers while Monjeza has been staying in Blantyre, left to fend for himself.
In an interview, Monjeza expressed his disappointment with the treatment people have been according Chimbalanga, saying, of the two, he is the one who has been going through thick and thin.
"But I am happy, anyway, that people have started coming out to help. It will really give me a heady start in marriage with Dorothy. People should know that I am now in love, and will not abandon Dorothy. We are in it forever," said Monjeza.
He asked other people to follow suit.
GHANA: Yesterday, today (The History of Ghana):
Ancient Ghana (4th - 13th Century): The Republic of Ghana is named after the ancient Ghana Empire of West Africa. The actual name of the Empire was Wagadugu. Ghana was the title of the Kings who ruled the kingdom. It was ruled by several Kings and Queens and around 1240 AD, it became part of another great African Empire, the Mali Empire. Mali Empire reached its peak of success under Emperor Mansa Musa around 1307. Both these Kingdoms were also connected to the greater African Classical civilization of Nubia and Kemet (Ancient Egypt - Land of the Blacks), from which various African confederations had earlier dispersed, following Roman invasion.
Geographically, the Ancient Ghana is 500 miles north of the modern Ghana, and occupied the area between Rivers Senegal and Niger. Present day Ghanaians share common ancestral links with the Ancient Ghana. This can be traced down to the Mande and Voltaic people of Northern Ghana-Mamprussi, Dagomba and the Gonja and the Akans to this great Empire. The evidence lies in names shared by the Akans of present Ghana and Mandikas of Senegal/Gambia who have strong links with the Empire and significantly nominal cultural traits.
Ghana, formerly called the Gold Coast, became independent from British colonial rule on March 6, 1957. It was the first black African colony to achieve independence. The period between the 15th and 19th centuries witnessed a power struggle for the country amongst European nations for fortunes in gold and ivory, following the advent of the Portuguese who discovered gold in 1471 and built Elmina castle in 1482. The other Europeans were the Dutch, Swedes, Danes, Prussians and the British. The battle for control and supremacy over the land culminated in the building of many forts and castles, which were used not only as trading posts but also as dungeons for the infamous slave trade. It is significant to note that out of the about 43 forts and castles in West Africa, 33 are in Ghana alone. Out of these about 25 are in good condition, including Elmina and Cape Coast castles and Fort St. Jago, all three of which are recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Monuments. (Cape Coast and Elmina are about a 3-hour drive from Accra.)
TIME ZONE:GMT
CURRENCY: The official currency is the Ghana Cedi (GH¢) (Cedi pronounced See Dee). Current rates vary. The current forex bureau rate for the US Dollar is about GH¢1.5 to US$1.00. Foreign currency can be exchanged at any foreign exchange bureau. Banks are open weekdays from 8.30 am. - 3.00 p.m. It is possible to access funds, though with a limit, through their and other ATMs. Credits cards are not widely used in Ghana, although they are of use in Accra. Most hotels prefer cash payments. Most of the Conferences hotels accept credit cards payments, though with a surcharge. All the other accommodation units only take cash payments.
Plan on bringing much of your budget in the form of travellers’ cheques and cash, particularly if you plan to spend time outside the capital city, Accra. Note, though, that the exchange rate for travellers' cheques is lower. Also, the farther away you move from Accra, the harder it may be to change travellers' cheques.
YOU WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO ACCESS /WITHDRAW CASH FROM MOST OF THE ATM IN ACCRA, IF YOU HAVE VISA ACCOUNTS. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL BANK FOR AFFILIATE BANKS IN GHANA WHERE YOU CAN WITHDRAW CASH FROM COUNTER AND ATMS.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS: Five reliable telecommunications networks are available in Ghana (two fixed and four mobile). Ghana country code is +233. Local SIM cards are very reasonable – sometimes, as low as USD 1 – and you may want get one for your cell phone when you arrive. Most hotels have wireless Internet connectivity. The other accommodation units do not have wireless Internet connectivity.
SAFETY: Ghanaians pride themselves on being some of the friendliest people in the world, and the level of crime against visitors/tourists is remarkably low. However, like any other country or metropolitan city, normal precautions are still advisable.
ELECTRICITY: Electricity is 220V AC at 50 cycles. Stabilizers are required for sensitive devices, and adapters are required for appliances using 110V.
LANGUAGE: English is the official language the principal languages and ethnic groups include the Akan (Twi and Fante-speaking), Ga, Hausa and Ewe. Also pidgin English ‘broken English’ is very popular and common.
RELIGION: The population of Ghana comprises Christian’s faith, African Faith (Traditional Religions) and Muslims faith. While Christianity is the dominant religion (68.8%), Islam (15.9%) and African Faith (8.5%) are also well represented. A significant proportion (6.1%) has no religious affiliation. The Constitution guarantees complete freedom of religion in Ghana.
OTHER USEFUL LINKS
Information on Government - www.ghana.gov.gh
Information on investment - www.gipc.org.gh
News information - www.ghanaweb.com, www.myjoyonline.com
Tourism information - www.touringghana.com
Information on Culture - www.ghanaculture.gov.gh
PEOPLE: Ghana is a peaceful and peace-loving country. All visitors are received warmly and sincerely no matter their race, religion, nationality or sex. Ghanaians are often referred to as ‘Africa’s Friendliest People’. This is because they are fun-loving and cheerful people, who are proud of their country, its languages, traditions and standing and are keen that the visitor should understand and appreciate what the country has to offer. It is a free and independent society where much emphasis is placed on courtesy and politeness. A handshake is the key to everything. The people will often receive you with a popular welcome greeting, Akwaaba! Welcome!
GEOGRAPHY: Ghana is located on the southern coast of West Africa. Its capital is Accra and it lies on the Greenwich Meridian. It is bordered to the east by Togo; to the west by Cote d‘Ivoire, to the north by Burkina Faso, and to the south by the Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic Ocean). It has a total landmass of 238,537 sq km. It is made up of 10 administrative regions each comprising districts which form the basic unit of administration and planning.
A VISITOR COMING TO GHANA CAN USE THE FOLLOWING MAJOR ENTRY POINTS.
AIR: The Kotoka International Airport is the principal air entry point to Ghana.
SEA: Ghana boasts of two major ports, the Tema Port in the Greater Accra Region, some nine (9) kilometres south of the capital city, Accra, and the Takoradi Port located in the Western Region of the country.
REGIONS AND CAPITALS
Greater Accra - Accra
Ashanti - Kumasi
Brong Ahafo - Sunyani
Western - Sekondi/Takoradi
Central - Cape Coast
Eastern - Koforidua
Volta - Ho
Northern - Tamale
Upper West - Wa
Upper East - Bolgatanga
CLIMATE: Ghana’s low latitude and proximity to the equator give it a typically tropical climate. Temperatures approach or exceed 30 degrees (80 Fahrenheit) most days of the year, with virtually no seasonal variation. The month of August is classified as the “coldest” month - 22-27˚C. Accra tends to receive less rain than other areas.
LOCATION: Ghana is located on the West Coast of Africa, about 750 km north of the equator on the Gulf of Guinea, between the latitudes of 4°-11°5' north. The capital, Accra, is on the Greenwich Meridian (zero line of longitude). The country has a total land area of 238,533 sq. km and is bounded on the north by Burkina Faso, on the west by Côte d’Ivoire, on the east by Togo and on the south by the Gulf of Guinea. The land area stretches for 672km north-south and 536km east west.
LAND: The coastal area of Ghana consists of plains and numerous lagoons near the estuaries of rivers. The land is relatively flat and the altitude is generally below 500m, with more than half of the country below 200m. The Volta River basin dominates the country’s river system and includes the 400km Lake Volta (the largest artificial lake in the world), formed behind the Akosombo Hydro-Electric Dam. In the north, the predominant vegetation is savannah and shrub, while the south has an extensive rain forest.
CLIMATE: Ghana has a tropical climate, characterised most of the year by moderate temperatures generally 21-32°C (70-90°F), constant breeze and sunshine. There are two rainy seasons, from March to July and from September to October, separated by a short cool dry season in August and a relatively long dry season in the south from mid-October to March. Annual rainfall in the south averages 2,030 mm but varies greatly throughout the country, with the heaviest rainfall in the western region and the lowest in the north.
POPULATION: The population of Ghana is projected to be 20m (Source: Ghana Statistical Service.). The country, with ten regions, has on average a population density of about 78.9 persons per square kilometre, with an annual growth rate of 2.6 per cent. Most of the population is concentrated in the southern part of the country, with the highest densities occurring in urban areas and cocoa-producing areas.
POLITICAL HISTORY: Gold Coast & European Arrival: Before March 1957 Ghana was called the Gold Coast. The Portuguese arrived in Edina [Elmina] in 1482 and built a castle in Elmina, their aim was to trade in gold and ivory. The Portuguese found so much gold they called it Coast de la mina - the mining coast. The English colonisers later adopted the Gold Coast. In 1481 King John II of Portugal sent Diego d'Azambuja to build this castle. From this time on the African Holocaust [Slave trade] truly begun in earnest by the Europeans, the Arabs and their African conspirators.
In 1598 the Dutch joined them, and built forts at Komenda and Kormantsil. In 1637 they captured the castle from the Portuguese and that of Axim in 1642 (Fort St Anthony). Other European traders joined in by the mid 18th century. These were the English, Danes and Swedes. Forts built by the Dutch, British and the Dane merchants dotted the coastline. By the latter part of 19th century the Dutch and the British were the only traders left. And when the Dutch withdrew in 1874, Britain made the Gold Coast a crown colony. 1901 made the Ashanti and the North a protectorate.
POLITICAL MOVEMENTS AND NATIONALISM IN GHANA (1945 - 1957): Notable earlier nationalist and scholars included the philosopher and scholar Dr Aggrey, George Ferguson, John Mensah Sarbah and Nana Ghartey IV of Winneba. However, political movements towards political freedom intensified soon after WWII. The War Veterans had become radical and had formed alliance with politicians. Some external forces also contributed to this feeling. The Great Marcus Garvey and Du Bois had raised strong Pan-African conscience. The defeat of the Italian at the battle of Adowa also contributed to strong Pan-African views. In 1945 a conference was held in Manchester to activate Pan African ideas. Osagefo Dr. Nkrumah of Ghana, Azikwe of Nigeria and Wallace Johnson of Sierra Leone attended this. In then Gold Coast Sir Alan Burns, the British imposed Governor drew up the 1946 Gold Coast constitution and a new legislative council that was made of the Governor as the President, 6 government officials, 6 nominated members and 18 elected members. The executive council was only in advisory capacity, and the governor did not have to take notice. These forces made Dr J.B. Danquah to form the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) in 1947. Nkrumah then studying abroad was invited to be the General-Secretary to this party. Other officers were George Grant (Paa Grant), Akuffo Addo, William Ofori Atta, Obetsebi Lamptey, Ako Agyei, and J. Tsiboe. Their aim was Independence for Ghana. They rejected the Burns constitution and the road to Ghana's independence took a new turn, Osagefo Dr. Nkrumah eventfully led Ghana to independence on 6 March 1957.
PARLIAMENT
HISTORY OF THE PARLIAMENT OF GHANA: Ghana achieved Independence on 6th March, 1957. The political struggles that preceded this historic event date back over a hundred years. The early period of nationalist struggle for political independence created political awareness and desire to assert the right of self-determination both for the individual and the State. As far back as 1850, Ghana, then The Gold Coast, was given its own Legislative Council to advise the colonial Governor in enacting legislation mainly in the form of Ordinances "for the peace, order and good government of the subject." The Legislative Council was purely advisory as the Governor exercised all legislative and executive powers. In 1916 the Legislative Council was reconstituted to include nine nominated officials, six of whom were Africans, as opposed to eleven officials and the Governor. The first Legislative Council elections ever to be held took place in 1925 under the Guggisberg Constitution. Under this arrangement the Governor still retained complete control of legislation. Under the 1946 Bums Constitution which replaced the Guggisberg Constitution, the representatives of the people formed the majority in the Legislative Council. The Governor ceased to be ex-officio President of the Legislative Council and an unofficial Member was appointed President. This system continued until 1951 when the Legislature elected its first Speaker under the 1950 Constitution. In 1951 the first large-scale elections to the Legislative Assembly took place when 75 Members were elected. There were three nominated ex-official Members and six special Members representing commercial and mining interests. The 1954 transitional Constitution provided for an Assembly of a Speaker and 104 Members elected on party lines on the basis of universal adult suffrage. In 1957, when Ghana achieved full political Independence the constitution was fashioned after the Westminster model. In June, 1960, ten women were elected by the National Assembly to fill specially created seats. This was done to expose women to parliamentary life. This system of election was not intended to be permanent. The Act made no provision for filling a vacancy caused by death, resignation or expulsion of a woman Member.
On 1st July, 1960 Ghana became a sovereign unitary Republic. In February, 1964 Ghana adopted a one-party system of Government. The First National Assembly of the Republic was , dissolved in 1965 and a general election in which all the 198 Members, all of them Members of the national party, the convention People's Party (C.P.P.) were elected unopposed.The 1964 Constitutional Amendments among other things increased the powers and prerogatives of the President. In February, 1966 the First Republican Government was overthrown by a military coup which installed a military government that remained in power up to September, 1969, when, on its own volition, it handed over power to another constitutionally elected government, and thereby restored parliamentary rule once again. After only 22 months in office the second parliamentary democracy also succumbed to another military rule between January 1972 and October 1979, when under much political pressure, that military government was compelled to usher in the Third Republican parliamentary system. In December 1981 parliamentary democracy was once more thrown into cold storage as a result of yet another military coup. However, the country returned to constitutional rule again on 7th January, 1993.
Geographically, the Ancient Ghana is 500 miles north of the modern Ghana, and occupied the area between Rivers Senegal and Niger. Present day Ghanaians share common ancestral links with the Ancient Ghana. This can be traced down to the Mande and Voltaic people of Northern Ghana-Mamprussi, Dagomba and the Gonja and the Akans to this great Empire. The evidence lies in names shared by the Akans of present Ghana and Mandikas of Senegal/Gambia who have strong links with the Empire and significantly nominal cultural traits.
Ghana, formerly called the Gold Coast, became independent from British colonial rule on March 6, 1957. It was the first black African colony to achieve independence. The period between the 15th and 19th centuries witnessed a power struggle for the country amongst European nations for fortunes in gold and ivory, following the advent of the Portuguese who discovered gold in 1471 and built Elmina castle in 1482. The other Europeans were the Dutch, Swedes, Danes, Prussians and the British. The battle for control and supremacy over the land culminated in the building of many forts and castles, which were used not only as trading posts but also as dungeons for the infamous slave trade. It is significant to note that out of the about 43 forts and castles in West Africa, 33 are in Ghana alone. Out of these about 25 are in good condition, including Elmina and Cape Coast castles and Fort St. Jago, all three of which are recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Monuments. (Cape Coast and Elmina are about a 3-hour drive from Accra.)
TIME ZONE:GMT
CURRENCY: The official currency is the Ghana Cedi (GH¢) (Cedi pronounced See Dee). Current rates vary. The current forex bureau rate for the US Dollar is about GH¢1.5 to US$1.00. Foreign currency can be exchanged at any foreign exchange bureau. Banks are open weekdays from 8.30 am. - 3.00 p.m. It is possible to access funds, though with a limit, through their and other ATMs. Credits cards are not widely used in Ghana, although they are of use in Accra. Most hotels prefer cash payments. Most of the Conferences hotels accept credit cards payments, though with a surcharge. All the other accommodation units only take cash payments.
Plan on bringing much of your budget in the form of travellers’ cheques and cash, particularly if you plan to spend time outside the capital city, Accra. Note, though, that the exchange rate for travellers' cheques is lower. Also, the farther away you move from Accra, the harder it may be to change travellers' cheques.
YOU WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO ACCESS /WITHDRAW CASH FROM MOST OF THE ATM IN ACCRA, IF YOU HAVE VISA ACCOUNTS. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL BANK FOR AFFILIATE BANKS IN GHANA WHERE YOU CAN WITHDRAW CASH FROM COUNTER AND ATMS.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS: Five reliable telecommunications networks are available in Ghana (two fixed and four mobile). Ghana country code is +233. Local SIM cards are very reasonable – sometimes, as low as USD 1 – and you may want get one for your cell phone when you arrive. Most hotels have wireless Internet connectivity. The other accommodation units do not have wireless Internet connectivity.
SAFETY: Ghanaians pride themselves on being some of the friendliest people in the world, and the level of crime against visitors/tourists is remarkably low. However, like any other country or metropolitan city, normal precautions are still advisable.
ELECTRICITY: Electricity is 220V AC at 50 cycles. Stabilizers are required for sensitive devices, and adapters are required for appliances using 110V.
LANGUAGE: English is the official language the principal languages and ethnic groups include the Akan (Twi and Fante-speaking), Ga, Hausa and Ewe. Also pidgin English ‘broken English’ is very popular and common.
RELIGION: The population of Ghana comprises Christian’s faith, African Faith (Traditional Religions) and Muslims faith. While Christianity is the dominant religion (68.8%), Islam (15.9%) and African Faith (8.5%) are also well represented. A significant proportion (6.1%) has no religious affiliation. The Constitution guarantees complete freedom of religion in Ghana.
OTHER USEFUL LINKS
Information on Government - www.ghana.gov.gh
Information on investment - www.gipc.org.gh
News information - www.ghanaweb.com, www.myjoyonline.com
Tourism information - www.touringghana.com
Information on Culture - www.ghanaculture.gov.gh
PEOPLE: Ghana is a peaceful and peace-loving country. All visitors are received warmly and sincerely no matter their race, religion, nationality or sex. Ghanaians are often referred to as ‘Africa’s Friendliest People’. This is because they are fun-loving and cheerful people, who are proud of their country, its languages, traditions and standing and are keen that the visitor should understand and appreciate what the country has to offer. It is a free and independent society where much emphasis is placed on courtesy and politeness. A handshake is the key to everything. The people will often receive you with a popular welcome greeting, Akwaaba! Welcome!
GEOGRAPHY: Ghana is located on the southern coast of West Africa. Its capital is Accra and it lies on the Greenwich Meridian. It is bordered to the east by Togo; to the west by Cote d‘Ivoire, to the north by Burkina Faso, and to the south by the Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic Ocean). It has a total landmass of 238,537 sq km. It is made up of 10 administrative regions each comprising districts which form the basic unit of administration and planning.
A VISITOR COMING TO GHANA CAN USE THE FOLLOWING MAJOR ENTRY POINTS.
AIR: The Kotoka International Airport is the principal air entry point to Ghana.
SEA: Ghana boasts of two major ports, the Tema Port in the Greater Accra Region, some nine (9) kilometres south of the capital city, Accra, and the Takoradi Port located in the Western Region of the country.
REGIONS AND CAPITALS
Greater Accra - Accra
Ashanti - Kumasi
Brong Ahafo - Sunyani
Western - Sekondi/Takoradi
Central - Cape Coast
Eastern - Koforidua
Volta - Ho
Northern - Tamale
Upper West - Wa
Upper East - Bolgatanga
CLIMATE: Ghana’s low latitude and proximity to the equator give it a typically tropical climate. Temperatures approach or exceed 30 degrees (80 Fahrenheit) most days of the year, with virtually no seasonal variation. The month of August is classified as the “coldest” month - 22-27˚C. Accra tends to receive less rain than other areas.
LOCATION: Ghana is located on the West Coast of Africa, about 750 km north of the equator on the Gulf of Guinea, between the latitudes of 4°-11°5' north. The capital, Accra, is on the Greenwich Meridian (zero line of longitude). The country has a total land area of 238,533 sq. km and is bounded on the north by Burkina Faso, on the west by Côte d’Ivoire, on the east by Togo and on the south by the Gulf of Guinea. The land area stretches for 672km north-south and 536km east west.
LAND: The coastal area of Ghana consists of plains and numerous lagoons near the estuaries of rivers. The land is relatively flat and the altitude is generally below 500m, with more than half of the country below 200m. The Volta River basin dominates the country’s river system and includes the 400km Lake Volta (the largest artificial lake in the world), formed behind the Akosombo Hydro-Electric Dam. In the north, the predominant vegetation is savannah and shrub, while the south has an extensive rain forest.
CLIMATE: Ghana has a tropical climate, characterised most of the year by moderate temperatures generally 21-32°C (70-90°F), constant breeze and sunshine. There are two rainy seasons, from March to July and from September to October, separated by a short cool dry season in August and a relatively long dry season in the south from mid-October to March. Annual rainfall in the south averages 2,030 mm but varies greatly throughout the country, with the heaviest rainfall in the western region and the lowest in the north.
POPULATION: The population of Ghana is projected to be 20m (Source: Ghana Statistical Service.). The country, with ten regions, has on average a population density of about 78.9 persons per square kilometre, with an annual growth rate of 2.6 per cent. Most of the population is concentrated in the southern part of the country, with the highest densities occurring in urban areas and cocoa-producing areas.
POLITICAL HISTORY: Gold Coast & European Arrival: Before March 1957 Ghana was called the Gold Coast. The Portuguese arrived in Edina [Elmina] in 1482 and built a castle in Elmina, their aim was to trade in gold and ivory. The Portuguese found so much gold they called it Coast de la mina - the mining coast. The English colonisers later adopted the Gold Coast. In 1481 King John II of Portugal sent Diego d'Azambuja to build this castle. From this time on the African Holocaust [Slave trade] truly begun in earnest by the Europeans, the Arabs and their African conspirators.
In 1598 the Dutch joined them, and built forts at Komenda and Kormantsil. In 1637 they captured the castle from the Portuguese and that of Axim in 1642 (Fort St Anthony). Other European traders joined in by the mid 18th century. These were the English, Danes and Swedes. Forts built by the Dutch, British and the Dane merchants dotted the coastline. By the latter part of 19th century the Dutch and the British were the only traders left. And when the Dutch withdrew in 1874, Britain made the Gold Coast a crown colony. 1901 made the Ashanti and the North a protectorate.
POLITICAL MOVEMENTS AND NATIONALISM IN GHANA (1945 - 1957): Notable earlier nationalist and scholars included the philosopher and scholar Dr Aggrey, George Ferguson, John Mensah Sarbah and Nana Ghartey IV of Winneba. However, political movements towards political freedom intensified soon after WWII. The War Veterans had become radical and had formed alliance with politicians. Some external forces also contributed to this feeling. The Great Marcus Garvey and Du Bois had raised strong Pan-African conscience. The defeat of the Italian at the battle of Adowa also contributed to strong Pan-African views. In 1945 a conference was held in Manchester to activate Pan African ideas. Osagefo Dr. Nkrumah of Ghana, Azikwe of Nigeria and Wallace Johnson of Sierra Leone attended this. In then Gold Coast Sir Alan Burns, the British imposed Governor drew up the 1946 Gold Coast constitution and a new legislative council that was made of the Governor as the President, 6 government officials, 6 nominated members and 18 elected members. The executive council was only in advisory capacity, and the governor did not have to take notice. These forces made Dr J.B. Danquah to form the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) in 1947. Nkrumah then studying abroad was invited to be the General-Secretary to this party. Other officers were George Grant (Paa Grant), Akuffo Addo, William Ofori Atta, Obetsebi Lamptey, Ako Agyei, and J. Tsiboe. Their aim was Independence for Ghana. They rejected the Burns constitution and the road to Ghana's independence took a new turn, Osagefo Dr. Nkrumah eventfully led Ghana to independence on 6 March 1957.
PARLIAMENT
HISTORY OF THE PARLIAMENT OF GHANA: Ghana achieved Independence on 6th March, 1957. The political struggles that preceded this historic event date back over a hundred years. The early period of nationalist struggle for political independence created political awareness and desire to assert the right of self-determination both for the individual and the State. As far back as 1850, Ghana, then The Gold Coast, was given its own Legislative Council to advise the colonial Governor in enacting legislation mainly in the form of Ordinances "for the peace, order and good government of the subject." The Legislative Council was purely advisory as the Governor exercised all legislative and executive powers. In 1916 the Legislative Council was reconstituted to include nine nominated officials, six of whom were Africans, as opposed to eleven officials and the Governor. The first Legislative Council elections ever to be held took place in 1925 under the Guggisberg Constitution. Under this arrangement the Governor still retained complete control of legislation. Under the 1946 Bums Constitution which replaced the Guggisberg Constitution, the representatives of the people formed the majority in the Legislative Council. The Governor ceased to be ex-officio President of the Legislative Council and an unofficial Member was appointed President. This system continued until 1951 when the Legislature elected its first Speaker under the 1950 Constitution. In 1951 the first large-scale elections to the Legislative Assembly took place when 75 Members were elected. There were three nominated ex-official Members and six special Members representing commercial and mining interests. The 1954 transitional Constitution provided for an Assembly of a Speaker and 104 Members elected on party lines on the basis of universal adult suffrage. In 1957, when Ghana achieved full political Independence the constitution was fashioned after the Westminster model. In June, 1960, ten women were elected by the National Assembly to fill specially created seats. This was done to expose women to parliamentary life. This system of election was not intended to be permanent. The Act made no provision for filling a vacancy caused by death, resignation or expulsion of a woman Member.
On 1st July, 1960 Ghana became a sovereign unitary Republic. In February, 1964 Ghana adopted a one-party system of Government. The First National Assembly of the Republic was , dissolved in 1965 and a general election in which all the 198 Members, all of them Members of the national party, the convention People's Party (C.P.P.) were elected unopposed.The 1964 Constitutional Amendments among other things increased the powers and prerogatives of the President. In February, 1966 the First Republican Government was overthrown by a military coup which installed a military government that remained in power up to September, 1969, when, on its own volition, it handed over power to another constitutionally elected government, and thereby restored parliamentary rule once again. After only 22 months in office the second parliamentary democracy also succumbed to another military rule between January 1972 and October 1979, when under much political pressure, that military government was compelled to usher in the Third Republican parliamentary system. In December 1981 parliamentary democracy was once more thrown into cold storage as a result of yet another military coup. However, the country returned to constitutional rule again on 7th January, 1993.
Sudi Sulaimana gives Steven Monjeza K100, 000
Former Zomba City Parliamentary aspirant, Sudi Sulaimana, yesterday (Tuesday) gave Steven Monjeza K100,000 as a start up package for his family, a week after the pardoned gay announced his decision to marry a Blantyre-based lady, Dorothy Gulo.
Monjeza was pardoned by President Bingu wa Mutharika alongside Tiwonge Chimbalanga. The two became the first Malawians to be convicted and sentenced to 14 years inprisonment with hard labour on charges of gross indecency and having sex against the order of nature.
Monjeza then surprised the world when he announced that he had changed his mind over the relationship with Chimbalanga, and would now share the rest of his life with Gulo.
The decision angered Chimbalanga, who accused Monjeza of trying to 'break my heart, because he knows that we were in real love'.
Sulaimana told Zachimalawi when he presented the K100, 000 he dicided to help out because he was pleased with Monjeza's decision to abandon "evil, and seek out the best thing in the world: a wife".
"I am happy that Monjeza realised that homosexuality was not the best way of going on with life, and has decided to find a 'real' partner in life. It is a good decision he has made," said Sulaimana.
He added: "Actually, I realised that he (Monjeza) has been going through hardships in terms of finances, and (I) felt that the best way to help them start their family is to give them some cash. I am really happy for them (Monjeza and Dorothy)," said Sulaimana.
Since their pardoning some three weeks ago, Chimbalanga and Monjeza have been living in separate places; Chimbalanga in Lilongwe with some well-wishers while Monjeza has been staying in Blantyre, left to fend for himself.
In an interview, Monjeza expressed his disappointment with the treatment people have been according Chimbalanga, saying, of the two, he is the one who has been going through thick and thin.
"But I am happy, anyway, that people have started coming out to help. It will really give me a heady start in marriage with Dorothy. People should know that I am now in love, and will not abandon Dorothy. We are in it forever," said Monjeza.
He asked other people to follow suit.
Monjeza was pardoned by President Bingu wa Mutharika alongside Tiwonge Chimbalanga. The two became the first Malawians to be convicted and sentenced to 14 years inprisonment with hard labour on charges of gross indecency and having sex against the order of nature.
Monjeza then surprised the world when he announced that he had changed his mind over the relationship with Chimbalanga, and would now share the rest of his life with Gulo.
The decision angered Chimbalanga, who accused Monjeza of trying to 'break my heart, because he knows that we were in real love'.
Sulaimana told Zachimalawi when he presented the K100, 000 he dicided to help out because he was pleased with Monjeza's decision to abandon "evil, and seek out the best thing in the world: a wife".
"I am happy that Monjeza realised that homosexuality was not the best way of going on with life, and has decided to find a 'real' partner in life. It is a good decision he has made," said Sulaimana.
He added: "Actually, I realised that he (Monjeza) has been going through hardships in terms of finances, and (I) felt that the best way to help them start their family is to give them some cash. I am really happy for them (Monjeza and Dorothy)," said Sulaimana.
Since their pardoning some three weeks ago, Chimbalanga and Monjeza have been living in separate places; Chimbalanga in Lilongwe with some well-wishers while Monjeza has been staying in Blantyre, left to fend for himself.
In an interview, Monjeza expressed his disappointment with the treatment people have been according Chimbalanga, saying, of the two, he is the one who has been going through thick and thin.
"But I am happy, anyway, that people have started coming out to help. It will really give me a heady start in marriage with Dorothy. People should know that I am now in love, and will not abandon Dorothy. We are in it forever," said Monjeza.
He asked other people to follow suit.
Sharia Law for Non-Muslims
WOMEN—CHAPTER 3
ISLAMIC SCHOLARS CLAIM:
Sharia laws concerning women is the rule of law in Islamic families.
Islam was the first civilization to provide and guarantee women's rights.
Mohammed gave the world the perfect example of how women are protected in Islam.
Muslim women are treasured and as treasures must be protected from the evils of the kafir world.
The rights of Muslim women come from Allah.
THE SHARIA: Sharia law has different laws for different groups of people. Women are one of its special classes.
wife beating
Islam's grand vision about women is given in one verse of the Koran:
Koran 4:34 Allah has made men superior to women because men spend their wealth to support them. Therefore, virtuous women are obedient, and they are to guard their unseen parts as Allah has guarded them. As for women whom you fear will rebel, admonish them first, and then send them to a separate bed, and then beat them. But if they are obedi-ent after that, then do nothing further; surely Allah is exalted and great!
THE SHARIA: dealing with a rebellious wife
m10.12 When a husband notices signs of rebelliousness in his wife whether in words as when she answers him coldly when she used to do so politely, or he asks her to come to bed and she refuses, con-trary to her usual habit; or whether in acts, as when he finds her averse to him when she was previously kind and cheerful, he warns her in words without keeping from her or hitting her, for it may be that she has an excuse.
The warning could be to tell her, "Fear Allah concerning the rights you owe to me,"
or it could be to explain that rebelliousness nullifies his obligation to support her and give her a turn amongst other wives, or it could be to inform her, "Your obeying me is religiously obligatory".
If she commits rebelliousness, he keeps from sleeping (having sex) with her and refuses to speak to her, and may hit her, but not in a way that injures her, meaning he may not bruise her, break bones, wound her, or cause blood to flow. It is unlawful to strike another's face. He may hit her whether she is rebellious only once or whether more than once, though a weaker opinion holds that he may not hit her unless there is repeated rebelliousness.
Ishaq969 He [Mohammed] also told them men had rights over their wives and women had rights over their husbands. The wives were never to commit adultery or act in a sexual manner toward others. If they did, they were to be put in separate rooms and beaten lightly. If they refrained from what was forbidden, they had the right to food and clothing. Men were to lay injunctions on women lightly for they were prisoners of men and had no control over their persons.
[Abu Dawud 11, 2142] Mohammed said: A man will not be asked as to why he beat his wife.
[Bukhari 7,62,132] The Prophet said, "None of you should flog his wife as he flogs a slave and then have sexual intercourse with her in the last part of the day." Most of those in Hell will be women.
THE DOCTRINE OF WOMEN
There are many ways in which the woman does not have full stature in Sharia law:
022.1 The necessary qualifications for being an Islamic judge are:
(a) to be a male freeman […]
04.9 The indemnity for the death or injury of a woman is one-half the indemnity paid for a man.
[Bukhari 3,48,826] Mohammed asked, "Is not the value of a woman's eye-witness testimony half that of a man's?" A woman said, "Yes." He said, "That is because a woman's mind is deficient."
L10.3 They divide the universal share so that the male receives the por-tion of two females.
Koran 4:11 It is in this manner that Allah commands you concerning your children: A male should receive a share equal to that of two fe-males, [...]
This hadith equates camels, slaves and women.
[Abu Dawud 11, 2155] Mohammed said: If one of you mar-ries a woman or buys a slave, he should say: "O Allah, I ask You for the good in her, and in the disposition You have given her; I take refuge in You from the evil in her, and in the disposition You have given her." When he buys a camel, he should take hold of the top of its hump and say the same kind of thing.
Women are inferior to men in intelligence and religion.
[Bukhari 1,6,301] While on his way to pray, Mohammed passed a group of women and he said, "Ladies, give to charities and donate money to the unfortunate, because I have witnessed that most of the people in Hell are women.
They asked, "Why is that?"
He answered, "You swear too much, and you show no grati-tude to your husbands. I have never come across anyone more lacking in intelligence, or ignorant of their religion than women. A careful and intelligent man could be misled by many of you."
They responded, "What exactly are we lacking in intelligence or faith?"
Mohammed said, "Is it not true that the testimony of one man is the equal to the testimony of two women?"
After they affirmed that this was true, Mohammed said, "That illustrates that women are lacking in intelligence. Is it not also true that women may not pray nor fast during their men-strual cycle?" They said that this was also true.
Mohammed then said, "That illustrates that women are lack-ing in their religion."
A woman's testimony is worth half that of a man.
Koran 2:282 Believers! When you contract a loan for a certain period, write it down, or to be fair, let a scribe write it down. The scribe should not re-fuse to write as Allah has taught him; therefore, let the scribe record what the debtor dictates being mindful of his duty to Allah and not re-ducing the amount he owes. If the debtor is ignorant and unable to dic-tate, let his guardian do so with fairness. Call two men in to witness this, but if two men cannot be found, then call one man and two women whom you see fit to be witnesses. Therefore, if either woman makes an error, the other can correct her [...]
FEMAL GENITAL MUTILATION, FEMALE CIRCUMCISION
It is unfortunate that the term circumcision is applied to both the re-moval of the foreskin of the male and the removal of the clitoris of the woman. There is no comparison.
[Bukhari 7,72,779] Mohammed said, "Five practices are characteristics of the ancient prophets: circumcision, shaving the pubic hair, cutting the moustaches short, clipping the nails, and depilating the hair of the armpits."
This hadith refers to the circumcision of female genitalia. It assumes that both the man and the woman are circumcised.
[Muslim 003,0684] [...] Abu Musa then said, "When is a bath obligatory?" Aisha responded, "You have asked the right person. Mohammed has said that a bath is obligatory when a man is encompassed by a woman and their circumcised genitalia touch."
Circumcision is part of the Sharia law. Here is the deceptive transla-tion:
e4.3 Circumcision is obligatory for both men and women. For men it con-sists of removing the prepuce from the penis, and for women, remov-ing the prepuce of the clitoris (not the clitoris itself, as some mistak-enly assert).
However what the Arabic actually says is:
e4.3 Circumcision is obligatory (for every male and female) by cutting off the piece of skin on the glans of the penis of the male, but circumcision of the female is by cutting out the clitoris (this is called Hufaad)."
This deceptive translation obscures the Sharia law. This deception is called taqiyya, a form of sacred deception.
At the battle of Badr, we have a reference to the custom of removing the clitoris.
Ishaq 564 Hamza said, 'Come here, you son of a female circumciser.' Now his mother was Umm Anmar, a female circumciser (one who circumcised girls) in Mecca. Then Hamza smote him and killed him.
o12.0 THE PENALTY FOR FORNICATION
o12.6 If the penalty is stoning, they are to be stoned, no matter the weather, or if they are ill. A pregnant woman is not stoned until she gives birth and the child does not need to nurse.
[Muslim 017, 4206] ... There came to Mohammed a woman who said: Allah's Messenger, I have committed adultery, [...] When she was delivered she came with the child (wrapped) in a rag and said: Here is the child whom I have given birth to. He said: Go away and suckle him until you wean him. When she had weaned him, she came to him with the child who was hold-ing a piece of bread in his hand. She said: Allah's Apostle, here is he as I have weaned him and he eats food. He entrusted the child to one of the Muslims and then pronounced punishment. And she was put in a ditch up to her chest and he commanded people and they stoned her. ...
HONOR KILLING
Honor killing is not directly included in Sharia doctrine. Sharia dictates that a woman is inferior to the male and allows beatings to enforce the rule of the male, but it does not accord honor killing a legal status. However, there is no penalty for killing an adulterer:
o5.4 There is no expiation for killing someone who has left Islam, a highwayman or a convicted married adulterer...
e12.8 ... unworthy (those who may be killed) includes ... convicted mar-ried adulterers...
This seems to include equal penalties for both men and women, how-ever, a man has many legal ways to have sex, while the woman is strictly limited to her husband alone. Hence, the woman is much more likely to be killed.
The man rules the woman, and his status in the community depends upon how his women conduct themselves. Ghira is sacred jealousy, even Allah has ghira. Ghira is also self-respect and is the basis of honor killings. Notice that in this hadith Saed's threat to kill a man with his wife is not condemned, but supported. Violence in defense of a Muslim's ghira is pure Islam.
[Bukhari 8,82,829; Bukhari 9,93,512] Saed bin Ubada said, "If I saw a man with my wife, I would strike him with the blade of my sword." This news reached Mohammed, who then said, "You people are astonished at Saed's ghira (self-respect). By Al-lah, I have more ghira than he, and Allah has more ghira than I, and because of Allah's ghira, He has made unlawful shameful deeds and sins done in open and in secret. [...]
Most honor killings come from Islamic societies.
ISLAMIC SCHOLARS CLAIM:
Sharia laws concerning women is the rule of law in Islamic families.
Islam was the first civilization to provide and guarantee women's rights.
Mohammed gave the world the perfect example of how women are protected in Islam.
Muslim women are treasured and as treasures must be protected from the evils of the kafir world.
The rights of Muslim women come from Allah.
THE SHARIA: Sharia law has different laws for different groups of people. Women are one of its special classes.
wife beating
Islam's grand vision about women is given in one verse of the Koran:
Koran 4:34 Allah has made men superior to women because men spend their wealth to support them. Therefore, virtuous women are obedient, and they are to guard their unseen parts as Allah has guarded them. As for women whom you fear will rebel, admonish them first, and then send them to a separate bed, and then beat them. But if they are obedi-ent after that, then do nothing further; surely Allah is exalted and great!
THE SHARIA: dealing with a rebellious wife
m10.12 When a husband notices signs of rebelliousness in his wife whether in words as when she answers him coldly when she used to do so politely, or he asks her to come to bed and she refuses, con-trary to her usual habit; or whether in acts, as when he finds her averse to him when she was previously kind and cheerful, he warns her in words without keeping from her or hitting her, for it may be that she has an excuse.
The warning could be to tell her, "Fear Allah concerning the rights you owe to me,"
or it could be to explain that rebelliousness nullifies his obligation to support her and give her a turn amongst other wives, or it could be to inform her, "Your obeying me is religiously obligatory".
If she commits rebelliousness, he keeps from sleeping (having sex) with her and refuses to speak to her, and may hit her, but not in a way that injures her, meaning he may not bruise her, break bones, wound her, or cause blood to flow. It is unlawful to strike another's face. He may hit her whether she is rebellious only once or whether more than once, though a weaker opinion holds that he may not hit her unless there is repeated rebelliousness.
Ishaq969 He [Mohammed] also told them men had rights over their wives and women had rights over their husbands. The wives were never to commit adultery or act in a sexual manner toward others. If they did, they were to be put in separate rooms and beaten lightly. If they refrained from what was forbidden, they had the right to food and clothing. Men were to lay injunctions on women lightly for they were prisoners of men and had no control over their persons.
[Abu Dawud 11, 2142] Mohammed said: A man will not be asked as to why he beat his wife.
[Bukhari 7,62,132] The Prophet said, "None of you should flog his wife as he flogs a slave and then have sexual intercourse with her in the last part of the day." Most of those in Hell will be women.
THE DOCTRINE OF WOMEN
There are many ways in which the woman does not have full stature in Sharia law:
022.1 The necessary qualifications for being an Islamic judge are:
(a) to be a male freeman […]
04.9 The indemnity for the death or injury of a woman is one-half the indemnity paid for a man.
[Bukhari 3,48,826] Mohammed asked, "Is not the value of a woman's eye-witness testimony half that of a man's?" A woman said, "Yes." He said, "That is because a woman's mind is deficient."
L10.3 They divide the universal share so that the male receives the por-tion of two females.
Koran 4:11 It is in this manner that Allah commands you concerning your children: A male should receive a share equal to that of two fe-males, [...]
This hadith equates camels, slaves and women.
[Abu Dawud 11, 2155] Mohammed said: If one of you mar-ries a woman or buys a slave, he should say: "O Allah, I ask You for the good in her, and in the disposition You have given her; I take refuge in You from the evil in her, and in the disposition You have given her." When he buys a camel, he should take hold of the top of its hump and say the same kind of thing.
Women are inferior to men in intelligence and religion.
[Bukhari 1,6,301] While on his way to pray, Mohammed passed a group of women and he said, "Ladies, give to charities and donate money to the unfortunate, because I have witnessed that most of the people in Hell are women.
They asked, "Why is that?"
He answered, "You swear too much, and you show no grati-tude to your husbands. I have never come across anyone more lacking in intelligence, or ignorant of their religion than women. A careful and intelligent man could be misled by many of you."
They responded, "What exactly are we lacking in intelligence or faith?"
Mohammed said, "Is it not true that the testimony of one man is the equal to the testimony of two women?"
After they affirmed that this was true, Mohammed said, "That illustrates that women are lacking in intelligence. Is it not also true that women may not pray nor fast during their men-strual cycle?" They said that this was also true.
Mohammed then said, "That illustrates that women are lack-ing in their religion."
A woman's testimony is worth half that of a man.
Koran 2:282 Believers! When you contract a loan for a certain period, write it down, or to be fair, let a scribe write it down. The scribe should not re-fuse to write as Allah has taught him; therefore, let the scribe record what the debtor dictates being mindful of his duty to Allah and not re-ducing the amount he owes. If the debtor is ignorant and unable to dic-tate, let his guardian do so with fairness. Call two men in to witness this, but if two men cannot be found, then call one man and two women whom you see fit to be witnesses. Therefore, if either woman makes an error, the other can correct her [...]
FEMAL GENITAL MUTILATION, FEMALE CIRCUMCISION
It is unfortunate that the term circumcision is applied to both the re-moval of the foreskin of the male and the removal of the clitoris of the woman. There is no comparison.
[Bukhari 7,72,779] Mohammed said, "Five practices are characteristics of the ancient prophets: circumcision, shaving the pubic hair, cutting the moustaches short, clipping the nails, and depilating the hair of the armpits."
This hadith refers to the circumcision of female genitalia. It assumes that both the man and the woman are circumcised.
[Muslim 003,0684] [...] Abu Musa then said, "When is a bath obligatory?" Aisha responded, "You have asked the right person. Mohammed has said that a bath is obligatory when a man is encompassed by a woman and their circumcised genitalia touch."
Circumcision is part of the Sharia law. Here is the deceptive transla-tion:
e4.3 Circumcision is obligatory for both men and women. For men it con-sists of removing the prepuce from the penis, and for women, remov-ing the prepuce of the clitoris (not the clitoris itself, as some mistak-enly assert).
However what the Arabic actually says is:
e4.3 Circumcision is obligatory (for every male and female) by cutting off the piece of skin on the glans of the penis of the male, but circumcision of the female is by cutting out the clitoris (this is called Hufaad)."
This deceptive translation obscures the Sharia law. This deception is called taqiyya, a form of sacred deception.
At the battle of Badr, we have a reference to the custom of removing the clitoris.
Ishaq 564 Hamza said, 'Come here, you son of a female circumciser.' Now his mother was Umm Anmar, a female circumciser (one who circumcised girls) in Mecca. Then Hamza smote him and killed him.
o12.0 THE PENALTY FOR FORNICATION
o12.6 If the penalty is stoning, they are to be stoned, no matter the weather, or if they are ill. A pregnant woman is not stoned until she gives birth and the child does not need to nurse.
[Muslim 017, 4206] ... There came to Mohammed a woman who said: Allah's Messenger, I have committed adultery, [...] When she was delivered she came with the child (wrapped) in a rag and said: Here is the child whom I have given birth to. He said: Go away and suckle him until you wean him. When she had weaned him, she came to him with the child who was hold-ing a piece of bread in his hand. She said: Allah's Apostle, here is he as I have weaned him and he eats food. He entrusted the child to one of the Muslims and then pronounced punishment. And she was put in a ditch up to her chest and he commanded people and they stoned her. ...
HONOR KILLING
Honor killing is not directly included in Sharia doctrine. Sharia dictates that a woman is inferior to the male and allows beatings to enforce the rule of the male, but it does not accord honor killing a legal status. However, there is no penalty for killing an adulterer:
o5.4 There is no expiation for killing someone who has left Islam, a highwayman or a convicted married adulterer...
e12.8 ... unworthy (those who may be killed) includes ... convicted mar-ried adulterers...
This seems to include equal penalties for both men and women, how-ever, a man has many legal ways to have sex, while the woman is strictly limited to her husband alone. Hence, the woman is much more likely to be killed.
The man rules the woman, and his status in the community depends upon how his women conduct themselves. Ghira is sacred jealousy, even Allah has ghira. Ghira is also self-respect and is the basis of honor killings. Notice that in this hadith Saed's threat to kill a man with his wife is not condemned, but supported. Violence in defense of a Muslim's ghira is pure Islam.
[Bukhari 8,82,829; Bukhari 9,93,512] Saed bin Ubada said, "If I saw a man with my wife, I would strike him with the blade of my sword." This news reached Mohammed, who then said, "You people are astonished at Saed's ghira (self-respect). By Al-lah, I have more ghira than he, and Allah has more ghira than I, and because of Allah's ghira, He has made unlawful shameful deeds and sins done in open and in secret. [...]
Most honor killings come from Islamic societies.
Malawi couple split under homophobic pressure
Victims of death threats, insults & abuse
Government & police threatened to re-arrest them
London - 9 June 2010
The Malawian couple, Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, have split up. They had been recently pardoned by the President of Malawi, after having been sentenced to 14 years jail on charges of homosexuality.
Steven Monjeza this week announced that he has left his partner, Tiwonge Chimbalanga.
"The couple had been subjected to many death threats and the government had threatened to re-arrest them if they got back together," said London-based human rights campaigner, Peter Tatchell, spokesperson for the LGBT rights group OutRage! He supported the couple in prison and campaigned, along with many other people, for their release.
"I was in communication with Steven and Tiwonge for over four months, via prison visitors who I arranged to deliver them food, medicine, shoes and clothes. In messages passed to me by the prison visitors, the couple affirmed their love. I believe it was genuine affection and commitment." added Mr Tatchell.
"It is a tragedy that homophobic threats and abuse have forced this couple apart. They were deeply in love. The pressure has got to Steven. Very understandably, he wants a quiet, safe life. This would not be possible if he remained with Tiwonge. Both would be at risk of violent attack. Some people have threatened to kill them. I respect their decision to split. It is up to them.
"I feel sorry for these star-crossed lovers. Like Romeo and Juliet, their love has been destroyed by prejudice and hatred.
"Tiwonge and Steven never set out to be political. Their engagement ceremony was not staged. No one was coerced and no one pressured them to do it. They did it solely out of love for each other. It was their idea. They did it themselves, without outside help. Their arrest and prosecution was not expected, since their ceremony was not illegal under Malawian law.
"There was no payment to anyone involved. No one has gained financially from this case.
"Malawian and international human rights groups had no contact with the couple prior to their arrest. We did not encourage them. The only role of human rights organisations was to support them after they were arrested and jailed.
"Whatever their feelings for each other now, Steven and Tiwonge have done more for gay and transgender rights in Malawi than anyone else. I salute them. They are lions of Africa. They have helped continue the unfinished African liberation struggle by pursuing freedom for gay, bisexual and transgender Africans.
"Thanks to them, same-sex love is now visible in Malawi. There has been a huge public debate. This awareness and discussion is positive. It has helped break down homophobic ignorance and prejudice.
"Not all Malawian people are anti-gay. Many are just curious, some believe in live-and-let live and others support the couple's right to love.
"Steven and Tiwonge harmed no one. They defended the right to love. In the long run, all Malawian lesbian and gay people will benefit from the trail they have blazed.
"I supported Steven and Tiwonge for the same reasons that in the 1970s and 80s I supported Malawian democracy activists who were jailed by the dictator, Dr Hastings Banda. This couple harmed no one. They had a right to live their lives without being victimised.
"I am a long-standing friend of the Malawian people. Many years ago, I supported the democracy and human rights movement in Malawi. In 1978, aged 26, I came to Malawi to investigate human rights abuses and the plight of political prisoners, and to expose the conditions on British-owned plantations. Posing as a student tourist, I was able to discover the terrible conditions on the Ruo tea estates at Mulanje (child labour, long hours, poor wages, bad food etc).
"When I came back to the UK, I helped establish the Malawi Support Committee to campaign against the dictatorship of Dr Hastings Banda, support jailed political prisoners and press for improved wages and working conditions for Malawians employed on foreign-owned plantations. I was a friend of the late Dr Attati Mpakati, the leader of LESOMA (the Socialist League of Malawi), who was jailed in Chichiri prison and was later assassinated by Dr Banda in 1983," said Mr Tatchell.
Government & police threatened to re-arrest them
London - 9 June 2010
The Malawian couple, Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, have split up. They had been recently pardoned by the President of Malawi, after having been sentenced to 14 years jail on charges of homosexuality.
Steven Monjeza this week announced that he has left his partner, Tiwonge Chimbalanga.
"The couple had been subjected to many death threats and the government had threatened to re-arrest them if they got back together," said London-based human rights campaigner, Peter Tatchell, spokesperson for the LGBT rights group OutRage! He supported the couple in prison and campaigned, along with many other people, for their release.
"I was in communication with Steven and Tiwonge for over four months, via prison visitors who I arranged to deliver them food, medicine, shoes and clothes. In messages passed to me by the prison visitors, the couple affirmed their love. I believe it was genuine affection and commitment." added Mr Tatchell.
"It is a tragedy that homophobic threats and abuse have forced this couple apart. They were deeply in love. The pressure has got to Steven. Very understandably, he wants a quiet, safe life. This would not be possible if he remained with Tiwonge. Both would be at risk of violent attack. Some people have threatened to kill them. I respect their decision to split. It is up to them.
"I feel sorry for these star-crossed lovers. Like Romeo and Juliet, their love has been destroyed by prejudice and hatred.
"Tiwonge and Steven never set out to be political. Their engagement ceremony was not staged. No one was coerced and no one pressured them to do it. They did it solely out of love for each other. It was their idea. They did it themselves, without outside help. Their arrest and prosecution was not expected, since their ceremony was not illegal under Malawian law.
"There was no payment to anyone involved. No one has gained financially from this case.
"Malawian and international human rights groups had no contact with the couple prior to their arrest. We did not encourage them. The only role of human rights organisations was to support them after they were arrested and jailed.
"Whatever their feelings for each other now, Steven and Tiwonge have done more for gay and transgender rights in Malawi than anyone else. I salute them. They are lions of Africa. They have helped continue the unfinished African liberation struggle by pursuing freedom for gay, bisexual and transgender Africans.
"Thanks to them, same-sex love is now visible in Malawi. There has been a huge public debate. This awareness and discussion is positive. It has helped break down homophobic ignorance and prejudice.
"Not all Malawian people are anti-gay. Many are just curious, some believe in live-and-let live and others support the couple's right to love.
"Steven and Tiwonge harmed no one. They defended the right to love. In the long run, all Malawian lesbian and gay people will benefit from the trail they have blazed.
"I supported Steven and Tiwonge for the same reasons that in the 1970s and 80s I supported Malawian democracy activists who were jailed by the dictator, Dr Hastings Banda. This couple harmed no one. They had a right to live their lives without being victimised.
"I am a long-standing friend of the Malawian people. Many years ago, I supported the democracy and human rights movement in Malawi. In 1978, aged 26, I came to Malawi to investigate human rights abuses and the plight of political prisoners, and to expose the conditions on British-owned plantations. Posing as a student tourist, I was able to discover the terrible conditions on the Ruo tea estates at Mulanje (child labour, long hours, poor wages, bad food etc).
"When I came back to the UK, I helped establish the Malawi Support Committee to campaign against the dictatorship of Dr Hastings Banda, support jailed political prisoners and press for improved wages and working conditions for Malawians employed on foreign-owned plantations. I was a friend of the late Dr Attati Mpakati, the leader of LESOMA (the Socialist League of Malawi), who was jailed in Chichiri prison and was later assassinated by Dr Banda in 1983," said Mr Tatchell.
40 years of Gay Liberation
Pride London and Queer Question Time present
'COME TOGETHER'
An afternoon of film and debate celebrating the 40th anniversary of the London Gay Liberation Front
Raising funds for Pride London
1pm, Saturday 26th June 2010
Electric Cinema, Notting Hill
191 PORTOBELLO ROAD , LONDON, W11 2ED
Hosted by STEWART WHO?
'Come Together' is an afternoon of celebration, challenge, cinema and chin-wagging looking back over the last 40 years since the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) was formed in London; looking at where we are today and looking ahead to where we could be.
The afternoon will start with some amazing archive footage including 'Come Together'; a 1971 Panorama documentary originally broadcast in 1971; excerpts from A Lesbian and Gay History and an exclusive screening of films Mair Davies made in the GLF communes. This will be followed by a panel debate with lots of audience participation.
The treatment of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga by Malawian authorities is one very current example of why it is so important for us as to keep activism on the agenda and do all we can to engage our community to fight at home and abroad, in whatever way we feel able to.
40 years since the demands were first state we are still waiting for all of them to be met. Why? Join our panel for a frank discussion about LGBT rights, what can we learn from our queer history and what can we as a community do to achieve what GLF demanded 40 years ago? Given we now have some of the rights we have fought for, what could we be doing as a community to support LGBT people around the world?
Let's come together, celebrate, inspire, question, challenge and be challenged.
In 1970 the GLF made 8 interim, immediate civil rights demands:
1) That all discrimination against gay people, male and female, by the law, by employers, and by society at large, should end.
2) That all people who feel attracted to a member of their own sex be taught that such feelings are perfectly normal.
3) That sex education in schools stop being exclusively heterosexual
4) That psychiatrists stop treating homosexuality as though it were a problem or sickness, thereby giving gay people senseless guilt complexes.
5) That gay people be as legally free to contact other gay people through newspaper ads, on the streets, and by any other means they may want, as are heterosexuals, and that police harassment should cease right now.
6) That employers should no longer be allowed to discriminate against anyone on account of their sexual preferences.
7) That the age of consent for gay males be reduced to the same as for straights.
8) That gay people be free to hold hands and kiss in public as are heterosexuals.
Hosted by STEWART WHO? and some special guests involved in GLF, human rights and LGBT activism including:
Roz Kaveney - Trans poet and activist
Shami Chakrabarti - Director of Liberty
Stuart Feather - Artist
Andrew Lumsden - Artist and journalist
plus additional special guest to be announced.
Let's come together, celebrate, inspire, question, challenge and be challenged.
1pm - 3.00pm on Saturday 26 June
Entry £7.5 (£4 NUS & unwaged)
For more details and tickets: http://www.pridelondon.org/pride365/pride365events
Tickets from http://www.ticketweb.co.uk
All door proceeds to go to Pride London.
Get involved on facebook and join the group QQT
For more details about the event and images please contact:
mike@mikekear.com 07753 930 678
tom.barber@pridelondon.org 07790 020541
'COME TOGETHER'
An afternoon of film and debate celebrating the 40th anniversary of the London Gay Liberation Front
Raising funds for Pride London
1pm, Saturday 26th June 2010
Electric Cinema, Notting Hill
191 PORTOBELLO ROAD , LONDON, W11 2ED
Hosted by STEWART WHO?
'Come Together' is an afternoon of celebration, challenge, cinema and chin-wagging looking back over the last 40 years since the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) was formed in London; looking at where we are today and looking ahead to where we could be.
The afternoon will start with some amazing archive footage including 'Come Together'; a 1971 Panorama documentary originally broadcast in 1971; excerpts from A Lesbian and Gay History and an exclusive screening of films Mair Davies made in the GLF communes. This will be followed by a panel debate with lots of audience participation.
The treatment of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga by Malawian authorities is one very current example of why it is so important for us as to keep activism on the agenda and do all we can to engage our community to fight at home and abroad, in whatever way we feel able to.
40 years since the demands were first state we are still waiting for all of them to be met. Why? Join our panel for a frank discussion about LGBT rights, what can we learn from our queer history and what can we as a community do to achieve what GLF demanded 40 years ago? Given we now have some of the rights we have fought for, what could we be doing as a community to support LGBT people around the world?
Let's come together, celebrate, inspire, question, challenge and be challenged.
In 1970 the GLF made 8 interim, immediate civil rights demands:
1) That all discrimination against gay people, male and female, by the law, by employers, and by society at large, should end.
2) That all people who feel attracted to a member of their own sex be taught that such feelings are perfectly normal.
3) That sex education in schools stop being exclusively heterosexual
4) That psychiatrists stop treating homosexuality as though it were a problem or sickness, thereby giving gay people senseless guilt complexes.
5) That gay people be as legally free to contact other gay people through newspaper ads, on the streets, and by any other means they may want, as are heterosexuals, and that police harassment should cease right now.
6) That employers should no longer be allowed to discriminate against anyone on account of their sexual preferences.
7) That the age of consent for gay males be reduced to the same as for straights.
8) That gay people be free to hold hands and kiss in public as are heterosexuals.
Hosted by STEWART WHO? and some special guests involved in GLF, human rights and LGBT activism including:
Roz Kaveney - Trans poet and activist
Shami Chakrabarti - Director of Liberty
Stuart Feather - Artist
Andrew Lumsden - Artist and journalist
plus additional special guest to be announced.
Let's come together, celebrate, inspire, question, challenge and be challenged.
1pm - 3.00pm on Saturday 26 June
Entry £7.5 (£4 NUS & unwaged)
For more details and tickets: http://www.pridelondon.org/pride365/pride365events
Tickets from http://www.ticketweb.co.uk
All door proceeds to go to Pride London.
Get involved on facebook and join the group QQT
For more details about the event and images please contact:
mike@mikekear.com 07753 930 678
tom.barber@pridelondon.org 07790 020541
Ban on same-sex marriage must be lifted
Marriage equality is litmus test of David Cameron's commitment to gay rights
Peter Tatchell
The Independent - London - 15 June 2010
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/peter--tatchell-ban-on-samesex-marriage-must-be-lifted-2000521.html
When David Cameron hosts gay community leaders at Downing Street tomorrow night the elephant in the room will be the ban on same-sex civil marriage. It is the last homophobic law in the UK. The coalition government, despite its professed support for gay equality, is refusing to repeal it.
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg supports same-sex marriage but he sacrificed it as part of his deal with the Conservatives. So we are left with a Prime Minister and Deputy who talk gay rights but who are unwilling to abolish the one remaining law that discriminates against lesbian and gay people - even when the abolition of this law has strong public support.
A Populus poll commissioned by The Times newspaper last June found that 61% of the public believe same-sex couples should be able to get married in a registry office on exactly the same basis as heterosexual couples. The government is clearly lagging behind public opinion. It's time David Cameron and Nick Clegg caught up.
True, we have civil partnerships. They remedy many of the injustices previously experienced by gay couples. But they are not equality. They have created a two-tier system of relationship recognition and rights. The homophobia of the ban on same-sex civil marriage is now compounded by the heterophobia of the ban on opposite-sex civil partnerships. Just as queers cannot have a civil marriage, straight couples are prohibited from having a civil partnership. These twin discriminations reinforce and extend inequality.
Imagine the outcry if the government reserved marriage for white people and introduced a separate partnership register for black couples. It would provoke accusations of racism and apartheid - and international condemnation.
Civil partnerships are a form of sexual apartheid. They enforce separate laws for heterosexuals and homosexuals, perpetuating discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.
Let's face it, marriage is the gold standard. Civil partnerships are marriage lite for queers. They are second best. No thanks.
Even though I am no fan of wedlock and would not want to get married myself, I defend the right of other same-sex couples to make that choice, if they wish. We should all be equal under the law.
If the government is sincere in its commitment to gay equality, it should forget about fancy Downing Street receptions and concentrate on delivering gay rights policies, including marriage equality.
Peter Tatchell
The Independent - London - 15 June 2010
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/peter--tatchell-ban-on-samesex-marriage-must-be-lifted-2000521.html
When David Cameron hosts gay community leaders at Downing Street tomorrow night the elephant in the room will be the ban on same-sex civil marriage. It is the last homophobic law in the UK. The coalition government, despite its professed support for gay equality, is refusing to repeal it.
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg supports same-sex marriage but he sacrificed it as part of his deal with the Conservatives. So we are left with a Prime Minister and Deputy who talk gay rights but who are unwilling to abolish the one remaining law that discriminates against lesbian and gay people - even when the abolition of this law has strong public support.
A Populus poll commissioned by The Times newspaper last June found that 61% of the public believe same-sex couples should be able to get married in a registry office on exactly the same basis as heterosexual couples. The government is clearly lagging behind public opinion. It's time David Cameron and Nick Clegg caught up.
True, we have civil partnerships. They remedy many of the injustices previously experienced by gay couples. But they are not equality. They have created a two-tier system of relationship recognition and rights. The homophobia of the ban on same-sex civil marriage is now compounded by the heterophobia of the ban on opposite-sex civil partnerships. Just as queers cannot have a civil marriage, straight couples are prohibited from having a civil partnership. These twin discriminations reinforce and extend inequality.
Imagine the outcry if the government reserved marriage for white people and introduced a separate partnership register for black couples. It would provoke accusations of racism and apartheid - and international condemnation.
Civil partnerships are a form of sexual apartheid. They enforce separate laws for heterosexuals and homosexuals, perpetuating discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.
Let's face it, marriage is the gold standard. Civil partnerships are marriage lite for queers. They are second best. No thanks.
Even though I am no fan of wedlock and would not want to get married myself, I defend the right of other same-sex couples to make that choice, if they wish. We should all be equal under the law.
If the government is sincere in its commitment to gay equality, it should forget about fancy Downing Street receptions and concentrate on delivering gay rights policies, including marriage equality.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Anti-Gay? Organization President Addresses Misperceptions about NARTH
Anti-Gay? Organization President Addresses Misperceptions about NARTH
Julie Hamilton, Ph.D.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The purpose of this article is to address misperceptions and/or misinformation regarding NARTH. Although some critics will remain skeptical and perhaps some even antagonistic, others desire accurate information. This article is written for the latter group, those who might be interested to know the facts about NARTH's mission and purpose.
NARTH is Not Anti-gay, nor is NARTH a Hate-Based Organization
Critics and antagonists have labeled NARTH, its leaders, and members as "bigots" and having "hatred" against homosexuality. Simply stated, these accusations are completely false. NARTH's leaders value and esteem both those who have embraced homosexual identities as well as those who seek change of orientation or identity. Many NARTH members originally became involved with NARTH because they had clients who needed help, and they had compassion and a desire to assist those clients in meeting their goals, even if doing so would bring criticism from others. Some became involved with NARTH because of their own personal experience with homosexuality, and others became involved out of love for their family members who struggled with issues of gender and sexual orientation.
Other members simply feel a scientific and ethical responsibility to present what science can and cannot say about homosexuality as well as to foster psychological care consistent with the best outcomes for those who seek it. Such care should be extended to all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation. In the spirit of diversity and anchored to the ethical principles of client self-determination and client autonomy, NARTH members are committed to providing scientifically grounded psychological care rendered in the context of compassion. While NARTH may disagree with a more popular worldview, and assert that homosexuality is not invariably fixed in all people, disagreement is not discrimination. Such attempts to label NARTH's position as "bigoted" or "hateful" are straw man attacks and are unsound.
NARTH Recognizes Client Diversity
NARTH values the individual's right to choose - both individuals who are comfortable with their homosexual identities and those who want to explore other options. NARTH acknowledges that some people are comfortable claiming a homosexual identity, and we respect their freedom to do so. At the same time, NARTH recognizes that others choose not to embrace a homosexual identity, are distressed by unwanted homosexual attractions, and would like to explore other options for their lives.
In our culture, those who are dissatisfied with their unwanted homosexual attractions and choose to pursue change are often treated with disrespect, mockery and ridicule, as are the therapists who try to help them. It is ironic that some of the people who defend the freedom to embrace homosexuality are the same ones who mock those who want something different for their lives. Tolerance and diversity mean very little if differing worldviews are excluded. NARTH believes that people who are dissatisfied with their unwanted homosexual attractions should be given the opportunity to choose their own path and to pursue change if they so desire. If content homosexuals are accepted, discontent homosexuals who pursue change should be equally accepted.
NARTH Therapists Honor Client Self Determination: Clients Choose Their Own Goals while Therapists Avoid Imposing an Agenda
NARTH defends the rights of clients to seek treatment for unwanted homosexual attractions. Individuals who are dissatisfied with their unwanted homosexual attractions and enter therapy seeking change should be respected and not be coerced into embracing identities which clash with their deeply held values or religious beliefs. All ethical codes for psychologists and therapists state that clients have the right to self-determination. This means that it is the client, not the therapist, who chooses the goals of therapy. NARTH exists to defend that basic right of clients. It is unethical for therapists to only offer "gay affirmative" therapy to clients who are seeking not to be affirmed in a homosexual identity but to receive assistance in pursuing a different identity. Although some professional associations advocate for therapists to use only a gay-affirming approach, NARTH believes that this is disrespectful, unethical, and potentially harmful to clients who want other options for their lives.
All too often, well-meaning, but ill-informed therapists tell their clients that they were "born homosexual" and cannot change, yet the scientific research reveals the opposite (Jones & Yarhouse, 2007; Spitzer, 2003). Homosexuality is not simply a matter of biology, and some people indeed make changes in their lives. Even the APA, in a brochure on human sexuality, acknowledges the lack of research supporting biological determinism of homosexuality.
There is no consensus among scientists about the exact reasons that an individual develops a heterosexual, bisexual, gay or lesbian orientation. Although much research has examined the possible genetic, hormonal, developmental, social, and cultural influences on sexual orientation, no findings have emerged that permit scientists to conclude that sexual orientation is determined by any particular factor or factors. Many think that nature and nurture both play complex roles....(p. 2)
Those who provide psychological care for this population have an ethical and moral responsibility to be scientifically informed and to provide care that is consistent with both psychological science and the highest ethical standards of our professions.
Just as we believe that clients have the right to pursue change and that the scientific research supports the evidence for change, NARTH believes that people have the freedom to pursue a homosexual identity or adapt in any way they desire for their lives. Ultimately, the client decides the path to take, and the therapist assists the client in accomplishing his or her goals. When therapists are unable to help clients pursue their personal goals, those therapists should make appropriate referrals to another professional who is able to do so.
Reorientation Therapy Includes Many Different Mainstream Approaches to Therapy
Reorientation therapy is simply psychological care aimed at helping clients achieve their goals regarding their sexual attractions, sexual orientations and/or sexual identities. Reorientation is not decidedly different from other therapies. There are many psychological approaches to helping clients with unwanted homosexual attractions. All approaches supported by NARTH are mainstream approaches to psychotherapy. The term "Reparative Therapy" refers to one specific approach which is psychodynamic in nature, but not all who offer therapy aimed at orientation change practice Reparative Therapy. Critics sometimes use the phrase 'reparative therapy' to describe reorientation therapy. This may be misconstrued to support a view pathologizing homosexuality, and that this is the only therapeutic modality used in reorientation therapy. Both inferences are incorrect. The members of NARTH are diverse in their training and in their approaches. Like other therapists, most clinical members of NARTH practice whatever type of therapy they were trained to practice, including but not limited to: interpersonal therapy, cognitive therapy, family therapy, behavioral therapy, EMDR, and psychodynamic approaches of which Reparative Therapy is one type. Quite simply, this is psychotherapy, nothing more and nothing less.
NARTH is often described by journalists with terms that are not used by NARTH or its members. For example, NARTH is sometimes "branded" as offering a "cure" for homosexuality, implying that NARTH views homosexuality as a disease. NARTH does not view homosexuality as mental illness; rather, homosexuality is an adaptation that is distressful for some people. Another inaccurate description is "conversion" therapy, a term not used by NARTH members. This term seems to imply some type of force or the idea of a therapist pressuring a client to change. NARTH therapists understand that psychotherapy should never be coercive, but should be offered in accordance with professional ethics and a respect for client self-determination. Neither do NARTH members offer or provide "aversion therapy." This form of behavioral therapy was used in the 1960's and 1970's to treat many different types of presenting problems, one of which was unwanted homosexual thoughts and feelings. However, aversion therapy was deemed unethical and was discontinued over 25 years ago, prior to NARTH's existence. NARTH encourages all of its members to abide by the highest standards of ethicality, which by definition would exclude any form of aversive therapy.
NARTH encourages its members to assist those who seek help for unwanted homosexual attractions, attractions which seldom occur in isolation from other issues commonly treated in therapy. More often than not, other issues become a part-and even the primary focus-of the care provided. Such issues might include past sexual abuse or trauma, family relationships, a weak sense of self, gender insecurity, depression, hopelessness, self-hatred, or any other issue that is problematic for the client. Many NARTH therapists report that once these other issues are addressed, issues regarding sexual attractions, identity, and orientation are easier to resolve.
While Success Rates are Similar to Some other Issues, Therapy for Unwanted Homosexuality Seems to be held to a Higher Standard
While studies on therapy for unwanted homosexual attractions seem to yield varying success rates, ranging from 30%-70%, these rates seem to be no different than success rates for many other therapeutic issues.1 For example, one study on outcomes in ministry settings (Jones and Yarhouse, 2007) revealed success rates that were comparable to a similar study on the treatment for depression. There is no question that depression should be treated, even though neither therapy, nor medication, nor a combination of both, yield success rates of 100%. Another example is that of personality disorders. It is commonly accepted within the therapeutic profession that personality disorders do not fully resolve, regardless of the therapeutic modality offered. While some forms of therapy appear more effective than others in treating personality disorders, it is clear that clients who are diagnosed with such disorders will continue beyond therapy to struggle with some issues related to their diagnosis. Yet, despite the fact that the condition is not completely alleviated through therapy, we do not hear of attempts to stop therapists from offering treatment for personality disorders.2
Similarly, in the field of addictions, where there is debate over both etiology and treatment, we find varying success rates, but we do not see any model of treatment to be successful 100% of the time. In fact, there is a high recidivism rate in the addictions field, yet the work continues undisputed. In addition, those who successfully receive treatment for substance abuse, eating disorders, and other behavioral addictions continue to describe themselves as addicts long after their therapy ends, and some will claim that label for the rest of their lives, even after the initial presenting problem is resolved. In many ways, reorientation therapy is quite similar to therapy for other issues. Yet, it seems clear that therapy for unwanted homosexuality is held to a standard higher than therapy for any other issue, a standard unattainable in the mental health field.
Therapeutic Attempts to Change Sexual Orientation are not found to be Harmful
Although the media and even some professionals have reported otherwise, the APA Task Force recently reported that the research on whether or not change attempts are harmful is inconclusive.3 Although the six-member Task Force was made up only of people who are against orientation change efforts, they admitted that there is not enough evidence to say that it is harmful. They state, "There are no scientifically rigorous studies of recent SOCE that would enable us to make a definitive statement about whether recent SOCE is safe or harmful and for whom" (p. 83). Yet, they say, despite the fact that there is no conclusive evidence of harm, that therapists should only offer affirmative therapy because some clients report having been harmed. It might be important to note, since they are basing their recommendation on client reports, that many clients have also reported being helped. This, however, is not mentioned in the report. In fact, they did not include individual case studies in their review.
Although the APA Task Force reported that their review of the possibility for harm was inconclusive, there are in fact research studies which conclude that this type of therapy is not harmful. For example, the Spitzer (2003) study found no harm, the Jones and Yarhouse (2007) study on ministry groups found no harm, and the Karten (2010) study found no harm.
With regard to individual reports of harm, it is important to understand the field of therapy. Participating in any form of therapy may be stressful as clients begin to address and deal with the issues of concern to them. In other words, whether clients are seeking treatment for depression, anxiety, marital issues, family issues, addictions, etc., there is a chance that some clients will feel worse before they feel better. Therapy often assists clients in looking at issues more closely and directly facing the problems in their lives in order to move forward. It is a commonly accepted fact that entering therapy and addressing concerns, whatever those concerns may be, might at first be uncomfortable. Therapy for unwanted homosexual attractions is no different. Some clients report encountering stress as they pursue their goals, yet many clients also report that the stress was well worth the outcome, just as clients addressing any other issue report that the hard work of therapy is well worth the results. Psychological care for those distressed by unwanted homosexuality (when practiced by an ethical therapist) has not been shown to pose any greater risk for harm than therapy for any other issue.
On the note of harm, it interesting that it is considered acceptable within the mental health field to assist a five year old boy in identifying as a girl or to administer hormone treatment to a ten or twelve year old child to physically change the child's biological sex,4 but offering talk therapy to an adult who would rather not be homosexual is thought to be harmful. Researchers admit that homosexuality is not biologically based; whereas, we know that gender is biologically based. How is it ethical to help a child change his or her biologically-based gender, but yet questionable to help an adult deal with an unwanted sexual orientation? Perhaps the accusations of harm have more to do with worldview than with science.
NARTH is Neither Right-Winged, nor is NARTH a Religious Organization
Although the critics often describe NARTH as a right-wing, religious organization, NARTH is neither right-wing, nor religious. Rather, NARTH is a scientific, secular organization. The membership of NARTH is very diverse, as is the governing board, including people of many different faith traditions and people of no faith tradition. While NARTH members vary in their religious viewpoints, the commonality among its members is their commitment to defend the scientific research, despite the trend in our culture of promoting the message that people are born homosexual and cannot change. Some activists for gay causes believe that if the message that people can change is made known, it might lead to further discrimination. We believe that there are better ways of addressing discrimination than suppressing the message that change is possible. Suppressing this message only harms individuals who want other options for their lives. NARTH respects these individuals and upholds their rights to have accurate information.
Footnotes
1 It is important to address the notion of change and success rates. Like other challenges, success is defined along a continuum ranging from a change in behavior to the reduction or even the elimination of unwanted homosexual attractions as well as changes in sexual orientation and sexual identity. Change might also include improved sense of self or an increase in security, a decrease in depression or hopelessness, as well as improvements in many other areas. What is clear is that outcomes are very consistent with the good research, from which only one conclusion can be reached: homosexuality is not invariably fixed in all people. Some people can and do change. And this change occurs not just in terms of identity but in core features of sexual orientation such as fantasy and arousal. The Spitzer Study, Hershberger's analysis of the Spitzer study, and the Karten study provide scientific support that change indeed does occur for some people.
2Although the examples given here are of depression and personality disorders, conditions generally believed to be undesirable, it is understood that homosexuality is a condition that is considered undesirable by some clients, but not by all clients. The comparison is not intended to imply similarities between homosexuality and depression or personality disorders other than with regard to some outcome implications.
3Activists within some professional associations have attempted to persuade their associations to declare reorientation unethical, falsely claiming that this type of therapy is harmful. These claims of harm are not in any way grounded in research, but instead appear politically motivated and reflect a lack of familiarity with the research, which has been declared by the APA to be inconclusive.
4See http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2008/03/30/qa_with_norman_spack/
References
American Psychological Association. (2008). Answers to your questions: For a better understanding of sexual orientation and homosexuality. Washington, DC: Author. [Retrieved from www.apa.org/topics/sorientation.pdf.]
Hershberger, S. L. (2003). Guttman scalability confirms the effectiveness ofreparative therapy. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 32, 440-441.
Jones, S.L., & Yarhouse, M.A. (2007). Ex-gays: A longitudinal study of religious mediated change in sexual orientation. Dowers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press.
Karten, E. Y., & Wade, J. C. (2010). Sexual orientation change efforts in men: A client perspective. The Journal of Men's Studies, 18, 84-102.
Spitzer, R. L. (2003). "Can some gay men and lesbians change their sexual orientation? 200 participants reporting a change from homosexual to heterosexual orientation," Archives of Sexual Behavior, 32, 5, October, p. 403-417.
Julie Hamilton, Ph.D.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The purpose of this article is to address misperceptions and/or misinformation regarding NARTH. Although some critics will remain skeptical and perhaps some even antagonistic, others desire accurate information. This article is written for the latter group, those who might be interested to know the facts about NARTH's mission and purpose.
NARTH is Not Anti-gay, nor is NARTH a Hate-Based Organization
Critics and antagonists have labeled NARTH, its leaders, and members as "bigots" and having "hatred" against homosexuality. Simply stated, these accusations are completely false. NARTH's leaders value and esteem both those who have embraced homosexual identities as well as those who seek change of orientation or identity. Many NARTH members originally became involved with NARTH because they had clients who needed help, and they had compassion and a desire to assist those clients in meeting their goals, even if doing so would bring criticism from others. Some became involved with NARTH because of their own personal experience with homosexuality, and others became involved out of love for their family members who struggled with issues of gender and sexual orientation.
Other members simply feel a scientific and ethical responsibility to present what science can and cannot say about homosexuality as well as to foster psychological care consistent with the best outcomes for those who seek it. Such care should be extended to all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation. In the spirit of diversity and anchored to the ethical principles of client self-determination and client autonomy, NARTH members are committed to providing scientifically grounded psychological care rendered in the context of compassion. While NARTH may disagree with a more popular worldview, and assert that homosexuality is not invariably fixed in all people, disagreement is not discrimination. Such attempts to label NARTH's position as "bigoted" or "hateful" are straw man attacks and are unsound.
NARTH Recognizes Client Diversity
NARTH values the individual's right to choose - both individuals who are comfortable with their homosexual identities and those who want to explore other options. NARTH acknowledges that some people are comfortable claiming a homosexual identity, and we respect their freedom to do so. At the same time, NARTH recognizes that others choose not to embrace a homosexual identity, are distressed by unwanted homosexual attractions, and would like to explore other options for their lives.
In our culture, those who are dissatisfied with their unwanted homosexual attractions and choose to pursue change are often treated with disrespect, mockery and ridicule, as are the therapists who try to help them. It is ironic that some of the people who defend the freedom to embrace homosexuality are the same ones who mock those who want something different for their lives. Tolerance and diversity mean very little if differing worldviews are excluded. NARTH believes that people who are dissatisfied with their unwanted homosexual attractions should be given the opportunity to choose their own path and to pursue change if they so desire. If content homosexuals are accepted, discontent homosexuals who pursue change should be equally accepted.
NARTH Therapists Honor Client Self Determination: Clients Choose Their Own Goals while Therapists Avoid Imposing an Agenda
NARTH defends the rights of clients to seek treatment for unwanted homosexual attractions. Individuals who are dissatisfied with their unwanted homosexual attractions and enter therapy seeking change should be respected and not be coerced into embracing identities which clash with their deeply held values or religious beliefs. All ethical codes for psychologists and therapists state that clients have the right to self-determination. This means that it is the client, not the therapist, who chooses the goals of therapy. NARTH exists to defend that basic right of clients. It is unethical for therapists to only offer "gay affirmative" therapy to clients who are seeking not to be affirmed in a homosexual identity but to receive assistance in pursuing a different identity. Although some professional associations advocate for therapists to use only a gay-affirming approach, NARTH believes that this is disrespectful, unethical, and potentially harmful to clients who want other options for their lives.
All too often, well-meaning, but ill-informed therapists tell their clients that they were "born homosexual" and cannot change, yet the scientific research reveals the opposite (Jones & Yarhouse, 2007; Spitzer, 2003). Homosexuality is not simply a matter of biology, and some people indeed make changes in their lives. Even the APA, in a brochure on human sexuality, acknowledges the lack of research supporting biological determinism of homosexuality.
There is no consensus among scientists about the exact reasons that an individual develops a heterosexual, bisexual, gay or lesbian orientation. Although much research has examined the possible genetic, hormonal, developmental, social, and cultural influences on sexual orientation, no findings have emerged that permit scientists to conclude that sexual orientation is determined by any particular factor or factors. Many think that nature and nurture both play complex roles....(p. 2)
Those who provide psychological care for this population have an ethical and moral responsibility to be scientifically informed and to provide care that is consistent with both psychological science and the highest ethical standards of our professions.
Just as we believe that clients have the right to pursue change and that the scientific research supports the evidence for change, NARTH believes that people have the freedom to pursue a homosexual identity or adapt in any way they desire for their lives. Ultimately, the client decides the path to take, and the therapist assists the client in accomplishing his or her goals. When therapists are unable to help clients pursue their personal goals, those therapists should make appropriate referrals to another professional who is able to do so.
Reorientation Therapy Includes Many Different Mainstream Approaches to Therapy
Reorientation therapy is simply psychological care aimed at helping clients achieve their goals regarding their sexual attractions, sexual orientations and/or sexual identities. Reorientation is not decidedly different from other therapies. There are many psychological approaches to helping clients with unwanted homosexual attractions. All approaches supported by NARTH are mainstream approaches to psychotherapy. The term "Reparative Therapy" refers to one specific approach which is psychodynamic in nature, but not all who offer therapy aimed at orientation change practice Reparative Therapy. Critics sometimes use the phrase 'reparative therapy' to describe reorientation therapy. This may be misconstrued to support a view pathologizing homosexuality, and that this is the only therapeutic modality used in reorientation therapy. Both inferences are incorrect. The members of NARTH are diverse in their training and in their approaches. Like other therapists, most clinical members of NARTH practice whatever type of therapy they were trained to practice, including but not limited to: interpersonal therapy, cognitive therapy, family therapy, behavioral therapy, EMDR, and psychodynamic approaches of which Reparative Therapy is one type. Quite simply, this is psychotherapy, nothing more and nothing less.
NARTH is often described by journalists with terms that are not used by NARTH or its members. For example, NARTH is sometimes "branded" as offering a "cure" for homosexuality, implying that NARTH views homosexuality as a disease. NARTH does not view homosexuality as mental illness; rather, homosexuality is an adaptation that is distressful for some people. Another inaccurate description is "conversion" therapy, a term not used by NARTH members. This term seems to imply some type of force or the idea of a therapist pressuring a client to change. NARTH therapists understand that psychotherapy should never be coercive, but should be offered in accordance with professional ethics and a respect for client self-determination. Neither do NARTH members offer or provide "aversion therapy." This form of behavioral therapy was used in the 1960's and 1970's to treat many different types of presenting problems, one of which was unwanted homosexual thoughts and feelings. However, aversion therapy was deemed unethical and was discontinued over 25 years ago, prior to NARTH's existence. NARTH encourages all of its members to abide by the highest standards of ethicality, which by definition would exclude any form of aversive therapy.
NARTH encourages its members to assist those who seek help for unwanted homosexual attractions, attractions which seldom occur in isolation from other issues commonly treated in therapy. More often than not, other issues become a part-and even the primary focus-of the care provided. Such issues might include past sexual abuse or trauma, family relationships, a weak sense of self, gender insecurity, depression, hopelessness, self-hatred, or any other issue that is problematic for the client. Many NARTH therapists report that once these other issues are addressed, issues regarding sexual attractions, identity, and orientation are easier to resolve.
While Success Rates are Similar to Some other Issues, Therapy for Unwanted Homosexuality Seems to be held to a Higher Standard
While studies on therapy for unwanted homosexual attractions seem to yield varying success rates, ranging from 30%-70%, these rates seem to be no different than success rates for many other therapeutic issues.1 For example, one study on outcomes in ministry settings (Jones and Yarhouse, 2007) revealed success rates that were comparable to a similar study on the treatment for depression. There is no question that depression should be treated, even though neither therapy, nor medication, nor a combination of both, yield success rates of 100%. Another example is that of personality disorders. It is commonly accepted within the therapeutic profession that personality disorders do not fully resolve, regardless of the therapeutic modality offered. While some forms of therapy appear more effective than others in treating personality disorders, it is clear that clients who are diagnosed with such disorders will continue beyond therapy to struggle with some issues related to their diagnosis. Yet, despite the fact that the condition is not completely alleviated through therapy, we do not hear of attempts to stop therapists from offering treatment for personality disorders.2
Similarly, in the field of addictions, where there is debate over both etiology and treatment, we find varying success rates, but we do not see any model of treatment to be successful 100% of the time. In fact, there is a high recidivism rate in the addictions field, yet the work continues undisputed. In addition, those who successfully receive treatment for substance abuse, eating disorders, and other behavioral addictions continue to describe themselves as addicts long after their therapy ends, and some will claim that label for the rest of their lives, even after the initial presenting problem is resolved. In many ways, reorientation therapy is quite similar to therapy for other issues. Yet, it seems clear that therapy for unwanted homosexuality is held to a standard higher than therapy for any other issue, a standard unattainable in the mental health field.
Therapeutic Attempts to Change Sexual Orientation are not found to be Harmful
Although the media and even some professionals have reported otherwise, the APA Task Force recently reported that the research on whether or not change attempts are harmful is inconclusive.3 Although the six-member Task Force was made up only of people who are against orientation change efforts, they admitted that there is not enough evidence to say that it is harmful. They state, "There are no scientifically rigorous studies of recent SOCE that would enable us to make a definitive statement about whether recent SOCE is safe or harmful and for whom" (p. 83). Yet, they say, despite the fact that there is no conclusive evidence of harm, that therapists should only offer affirmative therapy because some clients report having been harmed. It might be important to note, since they are basing their recommendation on client reports, that many clients have also reported being helped. This, however, is not mentioned in the report. In fact, they did not include individual case studies in their review.
Although the APA Task Force reported that their review of the possibility for harm was inconclusive, there are in fact research studies which conclude that this type of therapy is not harmful. For example, the Spitzer (2003) study found no harm, the Jones and Yarhouse (2007) study on ministry groups found no harm, and the Karten (2010) study found no harm.
With regard to individual reports of harm, it is important to understand the field of therapy. Participating in any form of therapy may be stressful as clients begin to address and deal with the issues of concern to them. In other words, whether clients are seeking treatment for depression, anxiety, marital issues, family issues, addictions, etc., there is a chance that some clients will feel worse before they feel better. Therapy often assists clients in looking at issues more closely and directly facing the problems in their lives in order to move forward. It is a commonly accepted fact that entering therapy and addressing concerns, whatever those concerns may be, might at first be uncomfortable. Therapy for unwanted homosexual attractions is no different. Some clients report encountering stress as they pursue their goals, yet many clients also report that the stress was well worth the outcome, just as clients addressing any other issue report that the hard work of therapy is well worth the results. Psychological care for those distressed by unwanted homosexuality (when practiced by an ethical therapist) has not been shown to pose any greater risk for harm than therapy for any other issue.
On the note of harm, it interesting that it is considered acceptable within the mental health field to assist a five year old boy in identifying as a girl or to administer hormone treatment to a ten or twelve year old child to physically change the child's biological sex,4 but offering talk therapy to an adult who would rather not be homosexual is thought to be harmful. Researchers admit that homosexuality is not biologically based; whereas, we know that gender is biologically based. How is it ethical to help a child change his or her biologically-based gender, but yet questionable to help an adult deal with an unwanted sexual orientation? Perhaps the accusations of harm have more to do with worldview than with science.
NARTH is Neither Right-Winged, nor is NARTH a Religious Organization
Although the critics often describe NARTH as a right-wing, religious organization, NARTH is neither right-wing, nor religious. Rather, NARTH is a scientific, secular organization. The membership of NARTH is very diverse, as is the governing board, including people of many different faith traditions and people of no faith tradition. While NARTH members vary in their religious viewpoints, the commonality among its members is their commitment to defend the scientific research, despite the trend in our culture of promoting the message that people are born homosexual and cannot change. Some activists for gay causes believe that if the message that people can change is made known, it might lead to further discrimination. We believe that there are better ways of addressing discrimination than suppressing the message that change is possible. Suppressing this message only harms individuals who want other options for their lives. NARTH respects these individuals and upholds their rights to have accurate information.
Footnotes
1 It is important to address the notion of change and success rates. Like other challenges, success is defined along a continuum ranging from a change in behavior to the reduction or even the elimination of unwanted homosexual attractions as well as changes in sexual orientation and sexual identity. Change might also include improved sense of self or an increase in security, a decrease in depression or hopelessness, as well as improvements in many other areas. What is clear is that outcomes are very consistent with the good research, from which only one conclusion can be reached: homosexuality is not invariably fixed in all people. Some people can and do change. And this change occurs not just in terms of identity but in core features of sexual orientation such as fantasy and arousal. The Spitzer Study, Hershberger's analysis of the Spitzer study, and the Karten study provide scientific support that change indeed does occur for some people.
2Although the examples given here are of depression and personality disorders, conditions generally believed to be undesirable, it is understood that homosexuality is a condition that is considered undesirable by some clients, but not by all clients. The comparison is not intended to imply similarities between homosexuality and depression or personality disorders other than with regard to some outcome implications.
3Activists within some professional associations have attempted to persuade their associations to declare reorientation unethical, falsely claiming that this type of therapy is harmful. These claims of harm are not in any way grounded in research, but instead appear politically motivated and reflect a lack of familiarity with the research, which has been declared by the APA to be inconclusive.
4See http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2008/03/30/qa_with_norman_spack/
References
American Psychological Association. (2008). Answers to your questions: For a better understanding of sexual orientation and homosexuality. Washington, DC: Author. [Retrieved from www.apa.org/topics/sorientation.pdf.]
Hershberger, S. L. (2003). Guttman scalability confirms the effectiveness ofreparative therapy. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 32, 440-441.
Jones, S.L., & Yarhouse, M.A. (2007). Ex-gays: A longitudinal study of religious mediated change in sexual orientation. Dowers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press.
Karten, E. Y., & Wade, J. C. (2010). Sexual orientation change efforts in men: A client perspective. The Journal of Men's Studies, 18, 84-102.
Spitzer, R. L. (2003). "Can some gay men and lesbians change their sexual orientation? 200 participants reporting a change from homosexual to heterosexual orientation," Archives of Sexual Behavior, 32, 5, October, p. 403-417.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Embarrassment: No chloramphenicol eye ointment in Malawi
Malawi has no chloramphenicol in both all iots public hospitals and Central Medical Stores, suppliers of drugs to public institutions.
The development has forced poor people who visit the referral Kamuzu Central Hospital in the Central region, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Southern region, and Northern region major hospitals to go back home with their eye ailments.
This is a public health risk.
Health Minister, Professor Moses Chirambo, confirmed the news today, saying, however, government would do all it can to procure the drugs.
Meanwhile, private pharmacies are charging K600 per packet of 10 mg/gm, six times as much as the recommended price.
The development has forced poor people who visit the referral Kamuzu Central Hospital in the Central region, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Southern region, and Northern region major hospitals to go back home with their eye ailments.
This is a public health risk.
Health Minister, Professor Moses Chirambo, confirmed the news today, saying, however, government would do all it can to procure the drugs.
Meanwhile, private pharmacies are charging K600 per packet of 10 mg/gm, six times as much as the recommended price.
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