|| News ||
Page 1 of 1

State Department Condemns Malawi Conviction


Malawi x290 (Reuters) I Advocate.com

The State Department has issued an official statement on Tuesday's conviction of a gay couple in Malawi (pictured), who were deemed to have violated their nation's laws by celebrating their engagement to be married.

"The United States is deeply disappointed in [the] conviction of same-sex couple Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza in Malawi," said assistant secretary Phillip J. Crowley at a press briefing Wednesday. "We view the criminalization of sexual orientation and gender identity as a step backward in the protection of human rights in Malawi. 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."

Chimbalanga, 20, and Monjeza, 26, were jailed in December for holding a public engagement ceremony. They were convicted of "unnatural acts and gross indecency" and face up to 14 years in prison. In January, Malawi information minister Leckford Mwanza Thoto said the couple had broken the law and that "as government, we cannot interfere in the court process." In response to outcry from Westerners about the case, he said, "We depend on our Western friends, yes, but we are a sovereign country."

Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Twitter. Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Facebook. Page 1 of 1
Reader Comments
  • Name: Liam
    Date posted: 5/20/2010 4:02:39 PM
    Hometown: Portland

    Comment:

    A flimsy statement about being "disappointed" won't save these two men from life in prison. The U.S. government needs to get off its ass and forcefully demand that they be released!!

  • Name: Jonathon Edwards
    Date posted: 5/20/2010 3:18:06 PM
    Hometown: Ontario, CA

    Comment:

    "Disappointed" is hardly a condemnation. Outraged. Determined to undo this injustice. Removing all aid to Malawi immediately. Those would be condemnations. Disappointed is just - inconvenient. Disgusting. Fierce advocacy. Again.

  • Name: Chris Sullivan
    Date posted: 5/20/2010 1:12:32 PM
    Hometown: Chicago, IL

    Comment:

    I think that if they can no longer "depend" on the U.S. - they will sing a different song... It's time to cut off ALL financial aid to Malawi IMMEDIATELY - because, you know, they are "a sovereign nation". So, if they are so independent - tehy can damn well be independent of OUR MONEY! Does anyone know of what products Malawi may export? And Madonna? The woman would not have had a career without her gay fans... and YES, should also should damn well speak up!

  • Name: Jay
    Date posted: 5/20/2010 8:44:38 AM
    Hometown: Santa Monica

    Comment:

    I applaud the State Department's condemnation of this barbarism. But I think they should go further and cut off all US aid to Malawi until this couple is freed. In addition, the country should be boycotted. What do they produce? I hope somebody will organize a boycott or at least advise us as to how we can boycott its products or those of US and other Western countries that have outsourced production there.

  • Name: David
    Date posted: 5/20/2010 8:40:29 AM
    Hometown: New Orleans

    Comment:

    James, Madonna's charity work in Malawi should NOT be applauded. She should forcefully condemn this outrage and end all charitable contributions to this country until they respect human rights.

  • Name: melvin
    Date posted: 5/20/2010 7:43:35 AM
    Hometown: South Dakota

    Comment:

    I agree that the USA should just cut whatever funds and sanction that country. Sadly, much of the time the only thing that countries and 'people' understand is money. That usually changes minds willingly or not. The federal government does it to the states all the time. The western world holds the purse strings, thus follow the rules of what 'we' determine to be proper respect of human rights. Otherwise, go back into your mud hut.

  • Name: drD
    Date posted: 5/20/2010 7:02:57 AM
    Hometown: mpls

    Comment:

    Hillary should cut the money. The word is called "leverage". And this is called RealPolitik.

  • Name: Tod
    Date posted: 5/20/2010 3:05:40 AM
    Hometown: West Hollywood

    Comment:

    I thank the State Dept for coming out against it. That's really great. It's just heart breaking. Boy, they wanted to stand up for themselves and we can only send good thoughts that they will be given some leniency and that a higher good will come from it. I hope they know they have many of their brothers and sisters standing with them. If that helps at all.

  • Name: James Stone
    Date posted: 5/20/2010 12:29:02 AM
    Hometown: Ohio

    Comment:

    I live in a land where gay people are discriminated against too. Where I live in most rural parts of my land it is perfectly acceptable to fire someone for being gay. There is no law here against that. My partner and I have been together for nearly 20 years yet a year and a half ago he was nearly kicked out of my hospital room after my appendix burst because he was not "family." He had to lie and say he was my "father." As far as other rights are concerned..our health insurance are double compared to straight couples. And..God forbid..when one of us dies..there is a "death tax" in my land. The person that is the recipient of your estate must pay a hefty tax for the inheritance. However, if you are legally married..the tax is forgiven. You might ask what land I live in. Let me tell you..the land is called "Ohio."

  • Name: Coy
    Date posted: 5/19/2010 10:35:08 PM
    Hometown: Lampasas, TX

    Comment:

    WHY oh WHY didn't we get Hillary??!? DADT would be repealed and ENDA would have passed by now.



Don't Miss
  • Best of Broadway Smash: Why You Will Love It

    Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, two of the producers of NBC’s new critically acclaimed musical series, explain why the backstage drama of creating a musical about Marilyn Monroe has mass appeal and why big stars like Anjelica Huston, Uma Thurman, Bernadette Peters, and Nick Jonas were eager to appear in it.

  • Best of Broadway How Broadway Does a Flea Market

    Find out why actress Kathleen Chalfant calls the annual Flea Market and Grand Auction in Times Square "the most glamorous flea market you've ever seen." It raised half a million dollars to fight HIV/AIDS.

  • Travel Slideshow Flag Gayest Cities in America, 2012

    It's no secret that megalopolises New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles have robust LGBT life — and we've even heard tell of little queer hoods like the Castro and P-Town. This isn't that list.

 
 
Advocate Subscribe Promo Banner 300x50
 
Follow Us Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on TwitterSubscribe to our RSS feedsDownload our app
Facebook Activity
 
COVER 1055 X135 | ADVOCATE.COM
Today's Headlines