MALAWI: Gay couple has case to answer, court rules

Record ID: 277412

  • Title: MALAWI: Gay couple has case to answer, court rules
  • Date: 23rd March 2010
  • Summary: BLANTYRE, MALAWI (MARCH 22, 2010) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF MAGISTRATE COURT WITH CARS AND PEOPLE WAITING FOR GAY COUPLE VARIOUS OF MEDIA AT COURT ENTRANCE, SIGN OF "COURT 1" PROSECUTOR ARRIVING AT COURT POLICE VEHICLES ARRIVING, GAY COUPLE DISEMBARK AND ENTER COURT GAY COUPLE INSIDE COURTROOM, PROSECUTOR CONFERRING WITH LAWYER MORE OF GAY COUPLE IN COURT, HANDCUFFED (S
  • Embargoed: 7th April 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Malawi
  • Country: Malawi
  • Reuters ID: LVA5FYM3FGNRLI965BC8N69X6F0U
  • Story Text: A Malawi gay couple facing charges of buggery and indecency after getting engaged in a traditional ceremony late last year have a case to answer, a magistrate court ruled on Monday (March 22).
    Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga have twice been refused bail and are held in a maximum security prison following their arrest in a case widely viewed as a test case for gay rights in the conservative southern African nation.
    The prosecution said it was satisfied with the court's decision.
    "I do not think that there anything, we concur with the court. Whatever findings they will be stated by the court," said Dickens Mwambazi, the prosecutor.
    The case has attracted a lot of interest and among those in the packed court on Monday were diplomats and rights activists, who saw the magistrate adjourn the case to April 3.
    Homosexuality is a crime in Malawi and carries a maximum sentence of 14 years. The country's chief justice last month dismissed the couple's appeal against the case.
    Last week aid-dependent Malawi's major donors condemned what they called the abuse of human rights in the southern African nation, particularly a crackdown on gay rights, and warned that abuses could affect budget support.
    "There is no reason why the donors should freeze their money. Malawi as a nation has its own culture and laws. The court should rule whether the two are guilty or not and not with fear," said Peter Banda, a resident of Malawi's capital.
    Carolyn Kadewere, another resident, voiced concern over the treatment of the two men.
    "I see no reason why the two are being held in custody," she said. "They should just be released, period."
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