Steven Monjeza (L) and Tiwonge Chimbalanga sit in a pick-up
truck before appearing at a magistrate court in Blantyre Jan 4, 2010.
"I love Steven so much. If people or the world cannot give me
the chance and freedom to continue living with him as my lover,
then I am better off to die here in prison. Freedom without him is
useless and meaningless." – Chimbalanga, 20, wrote in a statement
released through human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.
Steven Monjeza, 26, and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, 20, walked free earlier this weekend after Malawi president Bingu wa Mutharika pardoned and ordered the release of the pair who were sentenced to 14-year prison with hard labour, the harshest their crimes could attract under Malawi laws. Sexual relations between males is illegal in Malawi and most of Africa.
The southeastern African country had faced international condemnation as the case was closely monitored by international human rights groups after news broke that the couple had been jailed (at different prisons) since their arrest in December 2009. According to media reports, the pair had attracted attention after holding an engagement ceremony which was visible to onlookers.
President Mutharika on Saturday announced the pardon on "humanitarian grounds only" during a press conference with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Lilongwe, the capital.
"These boys committed a crime against our culture, against our religion, and against our laws. However, as head of state, I hereby pardon them and therefore order their immediate release without any conditions."
But he added, "We don't condone marriages of this nature. It's unheard of in Malawi and it's illegal."
Patricia Kaliati, Malawi's Minister of Gender and Children, told the BBC the men could be re-arrested if they continued their relationship.
"It doesn't mean that now they are free people, they can keep doing whatever you keep doing," she said.
AFP and The Guardian (UK) reports that the pair was reportedly forcibly separated and taken to their respective home villages after their release from prison and that there are fears of reprisals against both men.
Monjeza's family members said his partner would not be welcome in their village.
Kelvin Kaumira was quoted as saying in The Guardian that the community was "fuming" over the incident. "People here are furious," he said. "There are so many beautiful women in this village looking for a hand in marriage."
Zione Monjeza, an aunt of Monjeza, said: "Nobody wants to see Tiwonge again in this village. If he dares to come here, he must do so with police for his protection."
His uncle, Khuliwa Dennis Monjeza, made clear that Monjeza's partner should not seek a reunion with him. "The issue of the same-sex marriage is abnormal in our culture," he said.
"We want to warn his partner Tiwonge that he should never set his foot in this village ... otherwise we shall deal with him. Our name, history and culture cannot be spoiled with one child known as Steve."
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Id personally like to take that laughing guy in red sweater, and bash his teeth in. If gays fight back, bullies will think twice to attack us
They have to be granted political asylum immediately.
I hope there is a time somewhere down the road in human history where things like this will be a relic of our shameful past. I have literally zero hope of seeing it in my lifetime, although I still do think it may be possible at least in my country (America).
Although I'm not personally what anyone would call an activist, I have so much respect for those who are, for they are at the forefront of the change that will ultimately come to humanity. Were it not for those impassioned to do something, very few wrongs would ever be righted.
I read stories such as this and am reminded of the eloquent line from King Théoden in Peter Jackson's seminal film The Lord of the Rings, "What can men do against such reckless hate?" It's truly breathtaking how full of passionate hatred against homosexuals some people truly are. If their hate-mongering zealotry weren't so infuriating, it would be pitiable. I stand and applaud the nations whose citizenry have evolved beyond this sort of appalling behavior. Regrettably, my own country isn't among them, but perhaps one day...
("Patricia Kaliati, Malawi's Minister of Gender and Children" -- from the article.)
As for the two men I am sure they will be safe in their own community that supported their engagement ceremony. They are certainly better off out of jail rather than staying there.
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Could someone send me a copy of the "global queering agenda"?
I am aware that there are AFRICAN and other agreements outlining
human rights including the right to free association, privacy etc.
444sean Australia
I am so happy to hear they are free, now let's try to push for equality. I am so tired of this. There are many evil people in the world, go after them, leave us alone and view us as equals.
The horror of it all is RELIGION ..This is the greatest evil of them all. Once governments are free of this evil, life can go on and improve.
I also fear that there will be an attack on them. So many who are gay have died, just because they loved someone.
Sadly those who love GOD (whoever she is) think they know better. May god help them! Cause they are dumb enough to think so.
"Look what God is doing"
- 3 min 32 sec - 2 Nov 2007
Highlights of Gospel Crusade meetings by Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke in the city of Blantyre in the African nation of Malawi.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRGbawhmjZI
Wonder if Barack Obama will offer them asylum? (Chuckle, chuckle!)
It was totally unfair to group all the people of central Africa in the way you just did!
________________
So is Mr. Chimbalanga 20? I'm still not sure. Nice editing job, boys. :)
(Article was amended shortly after I posted this, so at least we know the Fridae staff are reading the comments. Hehe.)
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