United Nations High Commission for Human Rights says it does not approve setting of sanctions against nations as a step to enforce the implementation of respects for all human rights including same sex marriage.

Speaking in Geneva recently Public Information Officer for Human Rights Council Branch Rolando Gomez said UN does not want to see nations dancing to sanctions from their donor partners for failing to respect all human rights.

He was responding to a query on the state of the respect for minority rights (gay marriages) in Malawi where the issue resulted in donors withholding funding on allegation that Malawi was violating minority rights.

"It is not the wish of UN to have donors come up with sanctions towards different countries as an enforcement measure towards human rights adherences. As UN we believe in dialogue, consultation and negotiation. We provide space because some countries have genuine arguments depending on what they believe in.

"This is why as UN we only advise and come up with our recommendations and resolutions, this is how far we can go," Gomez said.

He said UN is aware that member states have taken different positions on the same sex marriage depending on their cultural beliefs, religion background and other aspects of life.

"This is why we can only recommend or advise countries to ensure that all rights are respected but it is up to the respective countries to come up with domestic laws depend on what they feel is right for their countries," he said.

Information Minister Moses Kunkuyu who was asked to shed light on the stand Malawi has taken on the gay rights said the issue of minority rights is something to do with all Malawians and not government alone.

He added that this is why government is looking at a channel which will ensure a representation of all Malawians like Parliament to decide on the issue.

"We believe Malawians can be heard through Parliament. I am not sure when the issue will be brought in Parliament, that is up to the Business Committee to decide on what to be discussed in Parliament.

"But as government we are looking at an opportunity to be given to Malawians so that they are heard. When that is done as a country we will then communicate to the outside world our stand," Kunkuyu said.

Quizzed further on whether government was considering bringing up the issue to Parliament in the next sitting of Parliament, the Information Minster said;

"It remains to be the responsibility of the Business Committee (depending on the priorities) to decide when the issue should be taken on board for discussion.