A coalition of Botswana Christian Churches voiced its opposition to parliament’s latest effort to amend the constitution to include gay rights. Botswana’s minister for state president Kabo Morwaeng, introduced a constitutional amendment bill for the first reading Wednesday 17 April 2024. Among proposed amendments is the inclusion of a clause that would protect and prohibit the discrimination of intersex persons and persons with a disability. Churches are opposing the move to promote gay rights.
The Apostolic Faith Mission in Botswana issued a statement denouncing the effort to amend the constitution and expressed their grave concerns regarding the tabling and ultimate debate by parliament of the proposed amendments without the benefit of the people’s engagement and contribution. In the statement the Apostolic Faith Mission highlighted that the disturbing provision in the constitution [Amendment] bill 2024, No. 4 of 2024 threatens to destroy the cardinal structure of family life at the heart of Botswana’s cherished Christian way of life through the bringing of ‘intersex’ legal provision that seeks to change the binary male and female structure of their society established and enacted by the almighty God. Additionally, the Apostolic Faith Mission indicated that the provisions of the amendment posed grave threat to their Christian way of life and their democracy.
Botswana’s High Court ruled in 2019 that laws criminalizing consensual same-sex relations were unconstitutional and hence the High Court decriminalized same-sex relations. The Lesbians, Gay and Bisexuals of Botswana (LEGABIBO) supported the court challenge in 2019 on the basis of protecting human rights. LEGABIBO in support of the court challenge in 2019 argued that it was an issue that is concerned with reducing systematic disadvantages on other people, especially the LGBTQI persons.
Churches are arguing that democracy includes minority groups such as the LGBTQI community and it is important for legislators to remember that their democratic oath is to protect those who are unable to speak for themselves, including members of the LGBTQI community. Members of the LGBTQ community are not pleased with efforts by religious leaders to influence legislators.
In July 2023 the government proposed a bill to incorporate gay rights into the constitution, but hundreds of opponents protested the development. Before the Botswana courts decriminalized homosexuality, the offense was punishable by up to seven years in jail. There has been a pushback against gay rights in some African countries. Countries like Uganda have passed stiff anti-LGBTQ laws including death sentence.