Namibia’s Minister of Justice and Labour Relations, Wise Immanuel, has urged foreign governments to respect the country’s approach to same-sex marriage and LGBTQ issues, saying the matter requires “thorough and extensive consultation” at home.
Immanuel made this statement during Namibia’s review at the 52nd session of the Universal Periodic Review, which is assessing the human rights records of Namibia and 14 other countries.
Delegations from Belgium, the United Kingdom, Austria and Australia urged Namibia to strengthen protections for the LGBTQ community.
Recommendations included adopting comprehensive anti-discrimination laws covering sexual orientation and gender identity, improving reporting mechanisms and public data, and amending legislation seen as discriminatory.
Austria called for changes to laws, including the Labour Act 2007, the Combating Domestic Violence Act, the Combating of Rape Act, the Marriage Act 2024, and the Civil Registration and Identification Act 2024.
Australia urged Namibia to implement the 2024 High Court ruling that overturned the criminalisation of same-sex relations and enact legislation prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Responding to the recommendations, Immanuel said, “The recommendations in relation to this specific issue are noted. And then I want to amplify by saying that the issue of the judgement of May 2024 on same-sex marriage is an issue that is a subject of a hot debate back home.”
The minister said there were differing views within Namibian society.
“Some quarters or sections of society are demanding that the government should put in place policies or laws that somehow seek to give full realisation to same-sex marriage. Some other members of society believe otherwise, arguing strongly that it's an issue that must be measured against the moral conviction of the society, against the cultural context of the society, and against the societal belief that has guided Namibia over a period of time,” he said.
Immanuel said the government would not move quickly on the issue.
“We plead with all those who have an interest in the domestic affairs of Namibia to at least respect the position that we need thorough and extensive consultation insofar as the issue of same-sex marriage or the LGBTQ issue is concerned,” said Immanuel.