Malawi unfazed by international criticism of gay arrests

Malawi’s Information Ministry said Jan. 18 that international pressure will not dissuade the nation from prosecuting a gay couple for having a public engagement ceremony.

Steven Monjeza, 26, and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, 20, were charged with “unnatural offenses” and “indecent practices between males” after holding the event in Blantyre on Dec. 26. They face 14 years in prison.

The couple remain jailed pending resumption of their trial, which began Jan. 15 but was quickly adjourned after Chimbalanga, who reportedly has malaria, vomited and collapsed. He was later forced to get a mop and bucket and clean up the mess.

Information Minister Leckford Mwanza dismissed international criticism of the case, saying the gay lovers clearly are lawbreakers and suggesting that Malawi does not want unsolicited advice on handling its internal affairs.

Meanwhile, on Jan. 6, Chimbalanga was subjected to a forced medical exam to prove he’s had gay sex. The following day, both men were forced to undergo psychiatric testing.

“Prosecuting two adults just because they affirm their love is a terrible injustice,” said Dipika Nath of Human Rights Watch’s LGBT rights program. “To subject individuals to spurious medical examinations against their will shows grave disregard for their fundamental human rights as well as for the public welfare.”

By Rex Wockner