President Robert Mugabe Rejects Homosexual Rights In UN Speech

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has rejected calls from the UN to implement gay rights in his country. Speaking on 28th September at the United Nations General Assembly meeting, he said that upholding human rights is the obligation of all member states, but vehemently rejected the imposition of what he called "new rights" for gay marriage that have been advocated elsewhere in the world.

"We equally reject attempts to prescribe new rights that are contrary to our norms, values, traditions and beliefs. We are not gays. Cooperation and respect for each other will advance the cause of human rights worldwide. Confrontation, vilification and double standards will not," he told members of the General Assembly. Mugabe has previously called homosexuals "worse than pigs and dogs." A spokesman for his ruling party, Zanu-PF, has said same-sex marriage had no place in Africa.

Currently chairman of the African Union, Mugabe urged nations to invest in economic development on the African continent, saying a stronger Africa would be beneficial to the world.

"Africa is not looking for handouts. Rather it is looking for partners in massive infrastructure development. In creating and exploiting the value chains from the God given natural resources and in improving the quality of life of the continents citizens. The entire world stands to benefit from an economically empowered African continent than from one emasculated by deprivation and with an over dependence on others," Mugabe said.

-IB Times, UK