Despite international pressure, Malawi is refusing to drop prosecution of a gay couple that was arrested after having an engagement party. The Washington Post reports,In a statement Monday, Malawi's Information Minister Leckford Mwanza Thoto made no apology for the laws that criminalize homosexual acts. He said Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga were 'clearly breaking the laws of Malawi.' ... 'As government we cannot interfere in the court process,' Thoto said. 'We depend on our Western friends, yes, but we are a sovereign country.'" One of the two men, Chimbalanga, collapsed recently in court and was heckled by onlookers while he was made to clean up his own vomit. This is a country that the world has come together to help? Enough. If they want the help of the world, then they must treat their citizens with respect. Mauya Msuku, the attorney representing the couple has this to say: "The penal code criminalizes homosexuality or same-sex marriages but under the Bill of Rights in the new Constitution it is clearly stated that no one should be discriminated against on the basis of - among other things - sexual orientation." He is asking Chief Justice Lovemore Munlo for a constitutional review. This is truly horrifying and I honestly believe that Malawi's economic help should be re-evaluated until their system of justice catches up with most of the civilized world. Stop discrimination. [image and source]
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
MALAWI REFUSING TO DROP PROSECUTION OF GAY COUPLE
Despite international pressure, Malawi is refusing to drop prosecution of a gay couple that was arrested after having an engagement party. The Washington Post reports,In a statement Monday, Malawi's Information Minister Leckford Mwanza Thoto made no apology for the laws that criminalize homosexual acts. He said Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga were 'clearly breaking the laws of Malawi.' ... 'As government we cannot interfere in the court process,' Thoto said. 'We depend on our Western friends, yes, but we are a sovereign country.'" One of the two men, Chimbalanga, collapsed recently in court and was heckled by onlookers while he was made to clean up his own vomit. This is a country that the world has come together to help? Enough. If they want the help of the world, then they must treat their citizens with respect. Mauya Msuku, the attorney representing the couple has this to say: "The penal code criminalizes homosexuality or same-sex marriages but under the Bill of Rights in the new Constitution it is clearly stated that no one should be discriminated against on the basis of - among other things - sexual orientation." He is asking Chief Justice Lovemore Munlo for a constitutional review. This is truly horrifying and I honestly believe that Malawi's economic help should be re-evaluated until their system of justice catches up with most of the civilized world. Stop discrimination. [image and source]
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