Press Release: Zambia Interfaith Networking Group on HIV/AIDS (ZINGO) Interfaith Communiqu *********************** We religious leaders representing the

Bahai, Christian, Hindu and Islam faiths gathered here today, the 26th of April, 2012; Sharing in the optimism and hope of a better Zambia; Committed to supporting progressive programmes of the Government; Determined to ensure that the developmental hopes and aspirations harbored by our people are safeguarded; Recognizing the significance of the rights-based approach to social development and the fight against HIV and AIDS, equality of men and women in the sight of God, their right to equal participation and respect, and tolerance of each others faith; wish to register our own concerns regarding the moral degradation currently prevailing in our nation. Gender Based Violence We have noticed with utter sadness despicable cases of GBV within our communities. We find this disturbing because love and compassion should be the bedrock of any social relationship. Whilst acknowledging that differences are inevitable within any relationship, there is no good reason that would morally justify the cruel violence inflicted upon our vulnerable women in society. Perpetuating the type of behavior we have been witnessing lately will only breed a future generation that regards violence as a normal way of resolving conflict. Our traditions, both cultural and religious, are endowed with rich and time-tested mechanisms and institutions through which conflict can be peacefully resolved without recourse to violence. We appeal to our people to utilize these mechanisms and institutions to settle whatever disputes they might have while faithfully relying on the ever present grace and mercy of God to bless their lives. We further appeal to our faith communities and faith-based institutions to strengthen their systems for detecting and deterring violent behavior inflicted on others. Such systems could include the setting up of marriage bureaus, couple retreats and, support groups or conflict resolution centers where social disputes, including marital disputes, can quickly be resolved before they degenerate into social problems. Furthermore, we urge Government to quickly address any gaps that impede the effective enforcement of the recently enacted 2011 GBV Act. We further call upon those entrusted to enforce law and order to mete out the strongest punishment to perpetrators of GBV within our society so that such punishment could perhaps serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders

Homosexuality We take note of the recent debates, under the aegis of promoting human rights, surrounding the subject of same sex marriages. We have, as individual faith mother bodies, spoken at length and made public our views regarding this subject. We however wish to reiterate our collective position using this platform; there is no place for homosexual activity in our community. God decreed that man should marry a woman and not another man and that together they should enjoy life. To argue that one has a right to practice homosexual activity if their desire urges them to and because it is their fundamental human right, is the same as arguing that pedophilia or bestiality is acceptable. This is because we have witnessed people within our midst who have shown a sexual inclination towards children or animals. Yet society has condemned them. We wonder therefore, why people with a sexual inclination towards homosexuality are allowed to go ahead under the excuse of human rights while we have not allowed for pedophilia and bestiality to be condoned within our society if indeed Human Rights are applicable to all. The truth of the matter is that regardless of ones sexual desires, only the kind of sex that has been sanctioned by God, between two adults, man and a woman, who have been legally married is lawful sex and no amount of human rights will justify anything transgressing these boundaries. We therefore call upon our people to remain vigilant and not allow for adulteration of what God has made pure under the pretext of human rights. As faith organizations, we uphold human rights and respect the freedoms of all individuals in as far as those rights are not exercised in a way that transgresses the limits set forth by our Creator. On the other hand, we hereby implore our religious communities to offer pastoral assistance to those who confess to have a homosexual orientation in their sexuality. At the same time, we call upon all citizens of this beloved nation not to take the law into their hands against those who are merely perceived to be practicing homosexuality. Child Sexual Abuse We have noted with sadness, the rising rate of child sexual abuse cases within our communities. What is more saddening is that this vice has become a norm in our society to the extent that the very people upon whom we have entrusted the responsibility to protect our vulnerable children (i.e. fathers, uncles, neighbors, police officers)are the ones who are now perpetuating this vice. We urge the relevant authorities to bring to justice and mete out stiff punishment to all those involved and found guilty of these scandals. We further urge Government as the main duty bearer, to guarantee the security of our children. This includes securing them from even the most simplest form of violence such as physical punishment for it is from such simple forms of violence that we see a further escalation of violence against our children leading up to sexual abuse. Security is one of the fundamental rights of an individual which should be protected and guaranteed at all times. Violating it in the manner we are currently witnessing is not befitting of a civilized society such as ours and should be immediately stopped. The harshest punishment should be meted out on those found wanting.

We also wish to take this opportunity to dispel any myths current within some sectors of our society that having carnal knowledge with a child will cure HIV and AIDS. It is quite illogical thinking that God can put a cure in an act that any reasonable mind would abhor. It is not consistent with the nature of God and such myths should be dismissed with the contempt they deserve. There is currently no known cure of HIV infection other than adhering to treatment once one has been put on treatment. This is, apart from the prevention of new HIV infections, the only known way to mitigate the impact of HIV infection and reduce acceleration of HIV to the AIDS condition. We therefore wish to urge all our people, particularly those with HIV to lead godly lives and live positively having faith in Gods will and understanding with full conviction that it is not over until God says so. The Constitution making process We affirm the symbiotic relationship that exists between a good constitution and good governance. The constitution provides checks and balances to the authorities in Government. There is no doubt that our current Constitution has a lot of loopholes including the awarding to Government officials unlimited powers which have been a subject of abuse. We would not be exaggerating if we contend that cases of abuse of office characteristic of past regimes are intrinsically linked to unlimited powers enjoyed by those in authority provided by the current Constitution. We therefore through this forum reiterate calls by all well-meaning Zambians that our Constitution be amended immediately to address these gaps especially the clear separation of the three arms of government namely the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary. We commend Government for the efforts exhibited currently to address the issue of the Constitution including among other things, the putting in place a Committee of Experts. However and as has been mentioned by the faith mother bodies in previous Pastoral Letters, we reiterate our concern for lack of a legal framework or legislation that gives the current Constitution-making process a legal backing. We urge the Government to consider this matter seriously as leaving the situation very fluid can become a source of abuse at a later stage. We also urge the powers that be to appoint suitable, eminent and competent members to fill the vacancies in the Referendum Commission and ensure that all logistics for holding a Referendum to adopt the new Constitution are immediately put in place. Our Continued Commitment As an interfaith community, we pledge our continued commitment to contributing to the creation of a Zambia where its citizens are enjoying quality life. This can be seen in our many programmes across the country that are empowering young people to make well informed sexual decisions; through livelihood and economic strengthening activities that have improved household incomes and contributed to ensuring household food security; through advocacy and social mobilization programmes that are mobilizing communities to eliminate Gender Based Violence within homes and the broader community; through

Fatherhood and Parenting programmes that are creating responsible and role model parents and finally through the many hitherto vulnerable children that have now gotten a job because of the new opportunities that we have availed them. This is a commitment we intend to uphold because it is based on a covenant we have made with our Lord the Creator. We therefore call upon all well-meaning citizens of our country and borders beyond to join us in this commitment. Conclusion In conclusion, we wish to bring to the attention of Government and the people of Zambia our concern for a serious degeneration of our morals. We observe with total dismay and concern the abuse of alcohol in our society. We also note with concern serious levels of loose morals in our midst. In our society, alcohol has become much more accessible than safe sources of water just as unlawful sexual practice has become much more accessible than marriage. This is a source of concern as both these vices contribute to the alarming levels of poverty in our society. At a time when the world is making gigantic advancements in sciences and technologies, our young people are obsessed with alcohol abuse and sexual activity. It needs to be noted that the transformation of human society requires both the transformation of the individual and the deliberate creation of new societal structures. Individuals must be educated and empowered, while at the same time, attention must be given to the cultural, scientific and technological, educational, economic and social conditions that shape them. The continuous interaction between the development of the individual and the establishment of new social structures provides a path of social change and avoids both complacency and violence. We therefore call upon all parents, Government, all levels of leadership (traditional, civic and religious) to provide our youth with the necessary guidance that will lead to their positive social transformation if Zambia is to secure her future. Signed today Thursday April 26th, 2012 at Lusaka by: National Spiritual assembly of the Bahais of Zambia Council of Churches in Zambia Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia Hindu Association of Zambia Independent Churches of Zambia Islamic Supreme Council of Zambia Zambia Episcopal Conference