Date: Tue, 6 Aug 96 17:20 GMT+0200 From: Stephen Van Breda Subject: ZIMBABWE : GALZ : STATEMENT 5th AUGUST 1996 HARARE : ZIMBABWE STATEMENT BY THE GAYS AND LESBIANS OF ZIMBABWE : 5th AUGUST 1996 ---------------------------------------------------------------- GALZ's participation at the Zimbabwe International Book Fair represents strong advances in the battle for freedom of expression and cultural diversity in Zimbabwe. Contrary to press reports, GALZ was very much in attendance at it's stand on Thursday and on Saturday and was prevented from taking up its position on Friday only because oh threats of senseless violence against the organisation which GALZ might have exacerbated it had been present. GALZ rejects out of hand the use of any form of violent action as a means for achieving the right of the individual to civil liberty. GALZ holds in utter contempt any persons resorting to primitive violence when putting across their point of view. Culture is not the property of any one group of Zimbabweans; it belongs to all. Minorities have rights in a democracy irrespective of whether they are impoverished, marginalised cultures like the Tonga or persecuted scapegoats such as homosexuals. Dictations from politicians that all persons within a nation shall conform to a single set of cultural norms is loathsome in the extreme and to be challenged forcefully at every turn. Threats against GALZ emanated from a mob led by a prominent public prosecutor who told journalists he did not care about High Court rulings. This clearly establishes a link between the State's contempt for the law and the threats of violence to which GALZ has been repeatedly subjected. Such blatant anarchism is challenged most eloquently through the wisdom of African-American Civil Rights Activist, Malcom X: "I respect government and the law but do government and the law respect me?". The Book Fair authorities have the duty to uphold the fundamental principal of freedom od expression and it is essential that they provide adequate protection to all exhibitors at the Book Fair. GALZ has no interest in being singled out as a special case but the organisation requires that it be awarded identical opportunities to express itself at a public event as any other exhibitor; the gays and lesbians in Zimbabwe must not and will not settle for anything less. GALZ again calls on all members of civil society in Zimbabwe to support the right of every individual Zimbabwean to freedom of expression. Ends.... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note that GALZ may be contacted through their Administrator, Keith Goddard, on kunzwana@mango.zw **** Thanks for all your support and efforts ! **** --------------------------------------------------------------------------------