Malawian gay couple to be released
The President of Malawi has personally intervened to pardon a gay couple who were sentenced to fourteen years imprisonment with hard labour for holding a public engagement ceremony in the country. Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza have been in prison since last December, but President Bingu wa Mutharika has ordered their immediate release. The move follows a visit by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who is thought now to be encouraging leaders across Africa to reform their anti-gay laws. Significant pressure was also brought to bear on Malawi's government by international aid organisations.
Although many of Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza as part of a strategy to challenge homosexuality -- some identifying same-sex relationships with Satanism -- church leaders in South Africa and further afield called on the Malawian government to overturn the conviction.
were particularly vocal in their opposition to the couple's imprisonment. And last week, the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland called the judgment "unjust". This was in stark contrast with the Church of Scotland's sister church in Malawi, . The Irish Presbyterian Moderator, Dr Stafford Carson, speaking on last week's Sunday Sequence, said he shared the "dismay" of the Church of Scotland and also regarded the imprisonment of a gay couple as unjust and "draconian".
Human rights campaigners, have expressed their gratitude to the Malawian president for his intervention, and are now calling on the Malwaian government to overturn its anti-homosexuality laws, which date from colonial times. The White House has also welcomed the release of the two men and called for an end to "the persecution and criminalization" of gays and lesbians in Malawi and across the world. Meanwhile, Malawi's minister for gender has told the ±«Óãtv that the Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza if they return to a same-sex relationship upon release.
Comment number 1.
At 30th May 2010, newlach wrote:This is great news, but nothing has changed generally in the way that gays are treated in Malawi. Between 2003-2008 DFID provided £312 in aid to Malawi. Should we be giving so much aid to a country that treats gays like criminals? The extremist anti-gay position of the Church of Scotland's sister church is perhaps a position shared by clergy within the Church of Scotland.
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Comment number 2.
At 30th May 2010, Dave wrote:I am glad for them, this hate in Africa has to be stopped, can the western churches not realise what they are doing, or do they not actually care.
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Comment number 3.
At 30th May 2010, malawische wrote:The President made this move on humanitarian grounds and nothing else.(Listen to his statement on ±«Óãtv)Malawian culture, laws and religious beliefs do not condone same sex relationships. Law makers including the President, can not do more than this to avoid offending the voters who happen to be conservative and who will be needed on May 19, 2014. The parliament can under pressure, change the law but this can not change the mind of these voters over this sensitive issue. It will take decades for Malawian conservatives to accept and embrace homosexuality. Even their advocate has stated that it can not be today or tomorrow, but the process has began. Twice was the bill to decriminalise homosexuality, thrown out of parliament and it was stated that it is unlikely that they will table this bill soon. I hope that this process of change will be steady though slow.
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Comment number 4.
At 30th May 2010, malawische wrote:It's not over yet, read what the Minister of Gender has just said. They can be re arrested if they continue with their "illegal" actions. The best way is to get out of the country and seek asylum elsewhere. Even if the government decriminalises the law, do not rush to return until this cultural, religious and conservative nation become tolerant enough to live side by side with homosexuals. I don't think it's safe for gay people to live in Malawi at the moment or any moment soon. I doubt if we are not going to hear something bad happening to these two men. Let's wait and see if my fears will not soon be justified. Read more about this issue on nyasatimes.com The sooner the better!
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Comment number 5.
At 31st May 2010, Heliopolitan wrote:Good news. Hopefully the evil of homophobia can be wiped out globally. The sheer immorality and hypocrisy of homophobes is appalling.
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Comment number 6.
At 31st May 2010, brianmcclinton wrote:Unfortunately, according to a report in the Guardian, the couple have been forced to live apart, and the family of Steven Monjeza are quoted as saying that his partner would not be welcome in their village. A man in his 60s from the village said the community was furious because "there are so many beautiful women in this village looking for a hand in marriage". Monjeza's aunt said that if Tiwonge "dares to come here, he must do so with police for his protection".
So the news is not so good, really. Who knows what will befall these two in the coming weeks.
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Comment number 7.
At 31st May 2010, Eunice wrote:Helio *Good news. Hopefully the evil of homophobia can be wiped out globally. The sheer immorality and hypocrisy of homophobes is appalling.*
I second that.
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Comment number 8.
At 31st May 2010, malawische wrote:Latest! Tiwonge Chimbalanga aka "Aunt Tiwo" missing! No body knows her/his where about. May be he/she has "fled" else ..................
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Comment number 9.
At 8th Jun 2010, malawische wrote:Steve Monjeza is to marry a beautiful 24yr old girl. He says he was forced to do the gay thing and he never had gay sex with Tiwonge Chimbalanga. Read more on www.nyasatimes.com. If what he says turn to be true, then those people who forced him, must escape flee Malawi right now because the government of Malawi will not leave them alone!
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Comment number 10.
At 8th Jun 2010, malawische wrote:breaking news about Steve Monjeza's new life. Click on this link and see him with his new girl friend. www.mwnation.com. Was he really gay or was he sexed up and doctored? read more.
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