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Statement on the conviction and sentence of the Malawi gay couple
Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ)
May 21, 2010

Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe is outraged at the sentencing of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga to 14 years in jail with hard labour after they were convicted for what the judge reportedly called "having sex against the order of nature and gross indecency".

The harsh sentence only serves to confirm that personal opinions and prejudices were applied to the case of the two. The right to a fair trial was compromised and sentiments expressed by Judge Nyakwawa Usiwa-Usiwa support this: "We are sitting here to represent the Malawi society, which I do not believe is ready at this point in time to see its sons getting married to other sons or conducting engagement ceremonies".

It is GALZ's view that the court should serve to protect the rights of the marginalised members of society including Steven and Tiwonge. We believe that a certain private sphere of individual freedom should be largely kept beyond the reach of the state.

GALZ would like to state that prejudices, personal aversions and rationalisations do not justify restricting one's freedom as is the case with Steven and Tiwonge. Freedom itself occupies a critical and fundamental position in our popular morality and should be upheld in this case.

We call upon the Malawi Government to respect the human rights of Tiwonge and Steven whose only crime is to express their love for each other publicly. We believe the pair has not had a fair trial to the extent that their fundamental dignity has been deeply impaired.

Visit the GALZ fact sheet

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