Malawi: US, Britain fume over gay sentence

  1. Posted on Friday 21 May 2010 - 10:09
    Chancy Namadzunda
    Image of Chancy Namadzunda
    Chancy Namadzunda, AfricaNews reporter in Lilongwe, Malawi
    The 14-year jail sentence of a gay couple in southern African country Malawi has not gone down well with the USA and Britain - the country's major donors. Tionge Chimbalanga and Steve Monjeza were convicted for gross indecency and unnatural act after their open engagement ceremony late 2009.
    Gay couple sentenced to 14 years
    In a joint statement, Henry Bellingham MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Stephen O’Brien MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for International Development and Lynne Featherstone MP, Minister for Equality at the Home Office have said the infringement of the rights of couple is intolerable.

    “We are deeply dismayed by the conviction for buggery and indecent practices of Mr Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Mr Steven Monjeza. We are also very concerned by the allegations of their mistreatment in police custody.

    Malawi has made significant progress on human rights in recent years. The Government has signed up to international human rights treaties and Malawi's constitution protects the rights of all its citizens. Infringement of these rights is intolerable. The conviction and sentencing to the maximum 14 years’ imprisonment of runs counter to a positive trend,” read part of the statement.

    “The UK, along with our international partners, will continue to press the Government of Malawi on this issue.”

    The US said they view the criminalization of sexual orientation and gender identity as a step backward in the protection of human rights in Malawi.

    It read: “The government of Malawi must respect the human rights of all of its citizens. The United States views the decriminalization of sexual orientation and gender identity as integral to the protection of human rights in Malawi and elsewhere in the world

    “We are disturbed by the violence, harassment, exclusion, stigmatization and prejudice that are directed against persons around the world because of sexual orientation or gender identity. We condemn private acts of violence and human rights violations based on sexual orientation or gender identity wherever they occur.”

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