65 British MPs condemn Malawi gay trial

Towards the end of 2009, Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga decided to openly consecrate their love for one another and make history, by becoming the first Malawian gay married couple. Two days later, they were arrested and charged with “unnatural practices between males”, they were also forced to go through a humiliating and intrusive medical examination to gather ‘evidence’ for trial.

Earlier this week, sixty-five British MPs have signed a House of Commons Early Day Motion (EDM 564), which condemns Malawi’s arrest and trial of Monjeza, 20 and Chimbalanga, 26. The two men love each other and have harmed no one. But they could be jailed for up to 14 years. According to an interview in the Times Mr Monjeza, who claimed to be beaten in jail and appeared to be disorientated — said: “I love my husband and laws should not prohibit love.”

The verdict in their trial is expected tomorrow, Monday, 22 March.

Amnesty International has adopted Steven and Tiwonge as Prisoners of Conscience:
http://www.amnesty.org.uk/actions_details.asp?ActionID=682

The EDM, tabled by Liberal Democrat MP John Hemming, urges the release of the two men, the dropping of all charges and the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Malawi.

See background to the Malawi arrests and trial

“Many letters of protest have been sent to the Malawian High Commissioner in London, Dr. Francis Moto, urging that Tiwonge and Steven be released and all charges dropped, on the grounds that they have harmed no one,” said Peter Tatchell of the London-based gay human rights group OutRage!

“The men’s prosecution and the ban on homosexuality violate the equality and non-discrimination provisions of the Constitution of Malawi (Article 20) and of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Articles 2, 3 and 4), which Malawi has signed and pledged to uphold.”

Mr Tatchell has been working with Malawian friends to support the men on trial and to oppose their prosecution. He helped organise the EDM in the British Parliament.

In the 1970s and 80s, Mr Tatchell campaigned for the release of political prisoners in Malawi during the dictatorship of Dr Hastings Banda and for improved wages and conditions for Malawian workers on British-owned farms and estates in the Mulanje region.

“The EDM has been communicated to the Malawian High Commissioner in London. It will hopefully add to pressure for the acquittal of Steven and Tiwonge and for the eventual decriminalisation of homosexuality by the Government of Malawi,” Mr Tatchell added.

“We hope this parliamentary motion will send a strong signal from the House of Commons to the Malawian government that the criminalisation of consenting same-sex relations is a violation of human rights. Malawi’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens have a right to privacy, equality, respect and dignity, under the country’s constitution and under international humanitarian law.

“Malawi is a sovereign nation and we respect its independence. But we hope that its government will recognise that this trial and the criminalisation of homosexuality are contrary to the human rights principles that Malawi has embraced since its transition from dictatorship to democracy.

“We appeal to the kindness and generosity of the Malawian people and government: please show mercy to Steven and Tiwonge and do not persecute your fellow Malawian citizens who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.

“OutRage! supports the many Malawian people who oppose homophobia and the prosecution of these two men. It is encouraging to hear some people in Malawi say: live and let live.”

Peter Tatchell

Credit is due to Peter Tatchell who is a tireless campaigner for not only gay rights but also human rights and global justice. Homophobia is an injustice which is being deepened on the African continent with particularly odious laws being proposed in the Ugandan Parliament. TMPOnline will focus more on these struggles for liberation in Africa and the world in the coming months.

***************************** UPDATE *****************************

OutRage!, Black Gay Men’s Advisory Group, Red Room, Rukus Foundation, Gay Activists Alliance International and an informal coalition of black and African LGBT activists in London have called a demonstration to coincide with the verdict of this trial tomorrow:

Monday 22 March from 12.30pm to 2pm at Commonwealth Secretariat’s head office, Marlborough House, Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5HX.

Click here for more details.

Hat/tip: Dean Atta