Malawi Gay Rights Victory: Justice at last for Steven and Tiwonge
President Bingu of Malawi has pardoned the couple, Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, who were recently sentenced to 14 years hard labour on charges of homosexuality.
Ban Ki Moon had applauded the lifting of the sentence, which had been met with outrage by the United States, Europe and rights groups, and called on Malawi’s parliament to change the country’s laws.
Peter Tatchell, the British human rights campaigner who has championed Steven and Tiwonge’s case and support them personally, arranging prison visits, food parcels and medicine, said
“Our thanks to President Bingu and Ban Ki Moon for ending this terrible injustice. Steven and Tiwonge should never have been arrested, let alone jailed for five months, convicted and sentenced to 14 years hard labour. They love one another and have harmed no one.
ACTION: Support Tiwonge and Steven in prison in Malawi
Earlier TMP Coverage can found here
From Peter Tatchell
Big thanks to everyone who has shown their concern and anger at the outrageous 14-year jail term handed down to Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga in Malawi.
See background to their prosecution and sentence here:
http://www.petertatchell.net/international/14-years-for-malawi-couple-is-brutal.html
65 British MPs condemn Malawi gay trial
Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga before a hearing in January (Photo: Reuters/Eldson Chagara)
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.”
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Malawi gay trial verdict “unjust and cruel”
Steven Monjeza & Tiwonge Chimbalanga found guilty of homosexuality
Convicted men hope that an appeal will overturn magistrate’s decision
“This is an outrageous verdict. While Steven and Tiwonge freely confirmed their love for each other, there was was no credible evidence that they had committed any illegal homosexual acts,” said London-based human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell who has been supporting and advocating for the men since their arrest and detention in December last year.
He was commenting on the trial result today of two men who were prosecuted in Malawi on charges of homosexuality, Steven Monjeza (26) and Tiwonge Chimbalanga (20).
“The law under which they were convicted is a discriminatory law that only applies to same-sex relations. It is unconstitutional. Article 20 of Malawi’s constitution guarantees equality and non-discrimination. The law in Malawi is not supposed to discriminate,” added Mr Tatchell.
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