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UK will not force gay rights on African countries
The United Kingdom will not force African Governments to enact pro-gay laws, says Minister for Africa Henry Bellingham.
Answering questions from journalists in Lusaka on his three-day visit to Zambia, Mr Bellingham said the United Kingdom would not tie its aid to Africa to gay rights but would ensure that countries in the 54-nation continent “do not persecute any minorities”.
Asked if the UK was urging African countries to enact gay-friendly laws, Mr Bellingham responded: “No! We are not doing that at all.
“What we are saying is that we are members of the Commonwealth and we aspire to adhere to universal rights and part of those rights is protecting interests of minorities.”
British Prime Minister David Cameron has been roundly condemned by African countries — Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda and Ghana — over threats a fortnight ago that his Government would cut aid to developing countries that would not enact pro-homosexual laws.
