SWEDEN, FINLAND ABROGATED INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AGREEMENT - BCZ

THE Swedish and Finish governments have abrogated the international relations agreement for flying the flag for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI) rights which is against Zambian laws, the Bishops Council of Zambia has said.

BCZ spokesperson, Reverend Fred Chingole, said Zambian laws are against the LGBTQI rights, therefore, those who abrogate them need to be reprimanded.

Rev Chingole said the act by the two governments is a breach of the 1961 Vienna Convention, and a lack of due regard to the laws of Zambia and cultural sensitivity to its people.

Under article 20 of the Vienna Convention, the mis sion is only allowed to fly the flag and emblem of their coun try on their premises and on the vehicle.

However, under the 1961

Vienna Convention Guiding Diplomatic Relations, diplo mats are mandated to respect the law of the receiving state and it is a serious breach of the convention to break the law of the host country.

“We are really saddened with this conduct by Sweden and Finland. If they practice these acts, in Zambia we don’t and it is clear in our constitution that such acts are illegal.

Whether they flew the flag at their embassies which is said to be their country but they should know that the embas sies are in Zambia. They can not bring their acts in Zambia.

“Moreover Zambia is a Christian nation, and Christianity does not support immorality,” he said.

Rev Chingole also appealed to the government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to protest against the act.

“Government need to pro test through writing because as a country we do not support such immorality,” he said.