Canada, United Nations, And Madonna Condemn Malawi Conviction And Sentencing Of Steven Monjeza And Tiwonge Chimbalanga

Canada – who days ago issued a special invitation to Malawi to attend the upcoming G20 summit to be held in Toronto – has condemned the country’s decision to convict and imprison Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon saying Thursday “cases like this are cases we condemn. We will be following this case as every other case. Canada has a great reputation internationally because we stand up for human rights, and speak out on ... things that need to be denounced.” It is not clear is the invitation to Malawi will be rescinded or if Canada will take the opportunity to use the summit to confront Malawi officials, a country largely dependent on foreign aid.

Navi Pillay, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Friday condemned the conviction and imprisonment of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga by Malawi court to 14 years in prison with hard labour, the two gay men found guilty Tuesday of unnatural acts and gross indecency. “I am shocked and dismayed by the sentence and reports of the treatment of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga while in detention,” said. She added that “The law which enabled the conviction dates back to the colonial era and lain dormant of a number of years – rightly so, because it is discriminatory and has the effect of criminalising and stigmatising people based on perceptions of their identity.” Pillay argued that the conviction must be overturned and that the antiquated penal codes that punish homosexuality be reformed. “Laws that criminalise people on the basis of their sexual orientation are by their nature discriminatory, and as such are in apparent violation of a number of key international treaties and instruments.”

Madonna, who has both a vested interest in the rights and protections of gays and in Malawi, posted a statement on her website condemning the conviction, writing that “as a matter of principle, I believe in equal rights for all people, no matter what their gender, race, color, religion, or sexual orientation. Today, Malawi took a giant step backward. The world is filled with pain and suffering; therefore, we must support our basic human right to love and be loved. I call upon the progressive men and women of Malawi – and around the world – to challenge this decision in the name of human dignity and equal rights for all.”