IGLHRC and CEDEP Condemn Unjust 14-Year Sentence for Malawian Couple
(Cape Town, May 20, 2010) - The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) and the Malawi Center for the
Development of People (CEDEP) are outraged by the sentence of 14 years with hard labour imposed today by a Malawian court on Tiwonge ("Tionge") Chimbalanga (20) and Steven Monjeza (26).
The Magistrate's Court in Blantyre imposed the maximum sentence following the conviction of the two on May 18 for "unnatural offences" and "indecent practices between males" under
Sections 153 and 156 of the Malawi Penal Code.
"This harsh sentence compounds the impact of an already unjust conviction," said Chivuli Ukwimi, IGLHRC Health and Human Rights Officer.
"Its devastating effect on Steven and Tionge is just the beginning. It will endanger lives by driving at-risk communities underground, beyond the reach of programs to address HIV and AIDS."
In his ruling, Judge Nyakwawa Usiwa-Usiwa stated, "The engagement and the living together as husband and wife of the two accused persons, who are both males, transgresses
the Malawian recognized standards of propriety since it does not recognize the living of a man with another as husband and wife. Both these acts were acts of gross
indecency." These views were similar to those expressed by the State Prosecutor, Barbara Mchenga, who asked the court to "consider the scar this offence will leave on our morality."
Dunker Kama, Administrator of CEDEP, responded by stating, "There is nothing immoral or indecent about love. The only thing immoral or indecent is throwing innocent
people in jail for more than a decade."
The harsh sentence sends a negative message to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Malawians who already face discrimination and persecution. It is also likely
to have an adverse effect on much needed efforts to address HIV and AIDS.
"The government of Malawi has double standards," said Gift Trapence, CEDEP Director. "Its own national strategic framework on HIV/AIDS includes men who have
sex with men. Now, it is imprisoning them."
This case and the criminalization of homosexuality in the Malawi Penal code amount to a violation of the human rights and protections to which Malawi is ostensibly
committed through its own constitution and the regional and international human rights treaties to which it is party.
IGLHRC and CEDEP will continue to support Monjeza and Chimbalanga, including an appeal of this verdict and the repeal of all laws that unjustly discriminate against
LGBT Malawians.
For more information about this case, see IGLHRC and CEDEP's press
release and letter to President Bingu wa Mutharika (5/18/10).
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The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission
(IGLHRC) is a leading human rights organization solely devoted to improving the rights of people around the world who are targeted for
imprisonment, abuse or death because of their sexuality, gender identity or HIV/AIDS status. IGLHRC addresses human rights
violations by partnering with and supporting activists in countries around the world, monitoring and documenting
human rights abuses, engaging offending governments, and educating international human rights officials.
A non-profit, non-governmental organization, IGLHRC is based in New York, with offices in
Cape Town and Buenos Aires. Visit http://www.iglhrc.org for more information
The mission of The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) is advancing human rights for everyone, everywhere to end
discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. A non-profit, non-governmental organization, IGLHRC is
based in New York, with offices in Cape Town and Buenos Aires. Visit http://www.iglhrc.org for more information.
Additional Contact Information:
Gift Trapence , Director, CEDEP Blantyre
Mobile: (26) 5888 509732
Email: gtrapence@yahoo.co.uk , directorcedep@yahoo.com
Jessica Stern , Director of Programs, IGLHRC
New York
(212) 430-6014
Email: jstern@iglhrc.org
For general media inquiries, please contact:
Sam Cook , Director of Communications, IGLHRC
New York
(212) 430-6023
Email: scook@iglhrc.org
Reproduced with permission - "INTERNATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION (IGLHRC)"
INTERNATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION (IGLHRC)
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