White House Condemns Malawi Homosexuality Conviction

The White House has released a statement condemning the recent conviction of a gay male couple in Malawi for "gross indecency and unnatural acts" and their sentence to 14 years of hard labor.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

May 20, 2010

Statement by the Press Secretary on Court Ruling in Malawi

The United States strongly condemns the conviction and harsh sentencing of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga in Malawi. The criminalization of sexual orientation and gender identity is unconscionable, and this case mars the human rights record of Malawi. We urge Malawi and all countries to stop using sexual orientation or gender identity as the basis for arrest, detention, or execution.

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The couple, Steven Monjeza, 26, and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, 20, were arrested and jailed (without bail) after having a public ceremony acknowledging their relationship last year.

In sentencing them to the maximum punishment of 14 years of hard labor, the judge said:

"I sentence you to 14 years imprisonment with hard labour each," magistrate Nyakwawa Usiwa Usiwa told the two men in a courtroom in the commercial capital Blantyre.

"I will give you a scaring sentence so that the public be protected from people like you so that we are not tempted to emulate this horrendous example," the judge added.

"Malawi is not ready to see its sons getting married to its sons."

There are 37 countries in Africa in which homosexuality is criminalized.