From: Kanina Foss On Behalf Of VCO News
Sent: 03 March 2014 12:45 PM
Subject: STATEMENT FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND PERTAINING
TO ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY LEGISLATION IN AFRICA
MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICE
OF THE VICE-CHANCELLOR AND PRINCIPAL
DATE: MONDAY, 3 MARCH
2014
STATEMENT FROM THE
UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND PERTAINING TO ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY LEGISLATION IN
AFRICA
The University of the
Witwatersrand notes with dismay and concern recent legislation in Nigeria and
Uganda that criminalises women and men who express themselves through
relationships other than those defined as heterosexual. It also decries the
targeted violence that has accompanied this legislation in these and other
countries.
While academic debates
may focus on the extent to which human sexuality is a result of nature or
nurture, or whether it is inherent to Western or African culture, the
reality is that diversity in terms of sexual orientation is part of the recorded
history of virtually all societies.
Tolerance and
acceptance of such diversity has not been easily secured, but those nations
that have afforded equal rights to sexual minorities alongside a multitude of
other diverse identities can justifiably claim the benefits of an equitable and
just environment for their citizens who live in, and actively contribute to an
inclusive and productive state.
The University of the
Witwatersrand values diversity and believes that its student and staff body
should reflect a multiplicity of race, gender, socio-economic background, urban
and rural geographic origin, culture, ethnicity, disability, religion, national
origin and sexual orientation. Indeed it believes that everyone has a role to
play in furthering human development and that diversity can only enhance
learning and the generation human knowledge. Such principles are the foundation
of university policies and are underpinned by values enshrined within the
constitution of South Africa.
It is the University’s
view that recent legislation in Africa and elsewhere that seeks to criminalise
sexual minorities, runs counter to these values and in addition contravenes key
articles contained within the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is
apparent that these legislations are driven, not by a desire to address true
criminality but rather are projected by an incomplete understanding of human
sexuality compounded by an orchestrated campaign of hate towards vulnerable
groups. South Africans understand only too well the damaging legacy that hate
founded on institutionalised prejudice can deliver and that while the seeds of
hate are easy to sow, they can take generations to uproot once they have spread
and taken hold.
Leadership carries with
it a huge responsibility, not least of which is protection of minority rights
from the ebb and flow of opinion amongst the “moral majority”. The University
(that counts amongst its staff and students, thinkers from across the continent
of Africa), stands with other academic institutions in urging leaders to
reflect carefully on what they have allowed to pass and points out that history
will judge harshly those who are responsible for imprisoning others as a result
of whom they love. We strongly urge that these laws be rescinded and encourage
others who value the sanctity of Universal Human Rights to call for the same.
