Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Malawian Gay Couple Pardon Draws Praise, Concern

   Howard Lesser 30 May 2010

Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS

   Tiwonge  Chimbalanga,  right,  and  Steven Monjeza, left back, are led
   from  court  in  Blantyre, Malawi, Thursday May 20, 2010 after a judge
   sentenced  the  couple to the maximum 14 years in prison for unnatural
   acts  and  gross  indecency  under Malawi's anti-gay legislation. Nine
   days later,the harsh sentence was overturned on Saturday with a pardon
   from  Malawi President Bingu Wa Mutharika that has won praise from the
   international community. (AP Photo/Alex Ntonya)

   Malawian President Bingu Wa Mutharikaâs weekend pardon of a homosexual
   couple  recently convicted for holding a public betrothal ceremony has
   drawn  praise from U.S. President Barack Obama, and from Britain and a
   Malawian  gay  rights group.  U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, who
   was  visiting  Malawi  at  the  time  of the reprieve, called Sundayâs
   release  of  Steven  Monjeza  and  Tiwonge  Chimbalanga  from prison a
   courageous decision.

   Tiwonge Chimbalanga (L) and Steven Monjeza (unseen) are led from court
   in Blantyre, Malawi, 20 May 2010

AP

   Tiwonge Chimbalanga (L) and Steven Monjeza (unseen) are led from court
   in Blantyre, Malawi, 20 May 2010

   Journalist  Watipaso  Mzungu  of the Malawi Daily Times newspaper said
   Malawiansâ  reactions  have  been  mixed.   And,  he  said  President
   Mutharikaâs  decision  continues  to  raise  a lingering question in a
   country that imposes stiff bans on homosexual behavior.

   âAlthough  they are not against the presidential pardon because he has
   just  exercised  his presidential powers, he (President Mutharika) has
   to  answer  a  few  lingering  questions.   If he is not bound to the
   international  pressure,  why  is he only pardoning these two, because
   there  are other gay people who were arrested here in Malawi.  Why is
   he only releasing these two men?â asked Mzungu.

   Two  weeks  ago, a Malawian judge convicted Monjeza and Chimbalanga of
   unnatural  acts  and  sentenced  them  to  14  years  in prison.  The
   sentence  has  drawn  criticism  from  governments  and  human  rights
   groups.  It has also sparked debate about activities by other African
   governments   that   are   attempting  to  toughen  penalties  against
   homosexuality, which is illegal in 38 of Africaâs 53 states.

   The  Blantyre-based  journalist noted that traditional religious group
   opposition  to  the  legalization  of  homosexual  unions remains very
   strong  in  Malawi, a predominantly (80%) Christian country.  He said
   there  are  signs that President Mutharika, while signaling that he is
   not  overturning  state  law,  is  clearly  acceding to demands of the
   international community.

   âThe  president  has  pardoned  these two guys, mainly due to pressure
   from  the international community.  The opposition, too, cannot risk
   the  wrath  of  their  voters,  especially  considering that the donor
   community  is  providing  Malawi  with  funds  for  the  purchasing of
   subsidized  fertilizer.   Therefore,  the  opposition  will  put this
   behind  them  and  concentrate on other matters of national interest,â
   said Mzungu.

   Malawi President Bingu Wa Mutharika

   Despite  the  international  attention,  he  said  Mr. Mutharikaâs own
   political  fate  is not being threatened and that his critics will try
   to  reach  a  common  understanding  for  the benefit of the countryâs
   development needs until the next election cycle in 2014.

   âI donât think the political future of Mutharika is in jeopardy.  The
   president  is  serving  his  last  term.  It is the next presidential
   candidate  of  the  Democratic  Progressive  Party that may suffer the
   wrath  of  the  people.   But,  I  doubt  if people can connect it to
   politics,â he said.

   After  speaking  with  Undule  Mwakasungura,  the director of Malawiâs
   Center  for  Human Rights and Rehabilitation, Watipazo Mzungu, said he
   is  not  sure about legal and living conditions for Steven Monjeza and
   Tiwonge  Chimbalanga.   However,  the Daily Times journalist said the
   countryâs Minister of Gender and Child Welfare has told state media in
   Malawi that, âif the two guys go home and begin staying together, they
   are going to be rearrested.â

   Mzungu  said it is his clear understanding that President Mutharika is
   not trying to overturn the law, but is simply trying to find a way out
   of  Malawiâs  current clash with international human rights advocates,
   while  signaling  that  violators  of  the  current  laws  still  face
   punishment.

   Same sex couple taken into custody in Blantyre, Malawi

L. Masina

   Tiwonge  Chimbalanga  and  Steven Monjeza are taken into custody after
   celebrating their engagement, December 2009 (photo by Lameck Masina)

   âThe   president  did  emphasize  that  he  did  it  (the  pardon)  on
   humanitarian  grounds.   Therefore, it is an expectation that the two
   guys  will not get married again unless they want to face another jail
   term,â he noted.

   With  charges dropped against them, Monjeza and Chimbalanga still have
   the  option  of  leaving  Malawi.   But, Mzungu notes that the Malawi
   government cannot be expected to advise them about whether or not they
   should leave the country.

.