Malawian Justice System Violates Human Rights
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Malawian Government, Secretary General of the United Nations and the South African Government
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We condemn in the strongest terms the conviction of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga in a court in Blantyre for committing so-called unnatural acts. Steven and Tiwonge were arrested in December 2009 after celebrating their engagement and have been in jail ever since.
The continued incitement, in multiple African countries especially Zimbabwe, Malawi and Uganda, against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people is a gross violation of human rights. In allowing this abuse to continue, the door has been opened to reverse and retard progress on all human rights, including the right to dignity and full social, legal and political equality for women, and freedom of expression and the media amongst others.
It is essential that the Secretary General of the United Nations and the heads of other UN Agencies pay attention to what is happening to sexual minorities in Africa and voice their strong disapproval and call for the dropping of all charges against the two men. Unjust, obsolete homophobic laws are retarding social progress and need to be repealed. These laws are being used as political decoys by politicians instead of facing the real problems of poverty and declining standards of living on the continent problems which can only be addressed through an unwavering commitment to human rights, equality and justice.
In particular, we call on the South African government, as the only state in Africa to recognise equality for sexual minorities, to defend the South African constitution by offering asylum to the two men convicted in Malawi and negotiating their immediate release from prison. Everyone who supports human rights should send a protest note to the Malawian embassy in their country and join an immediate campaign to free Steven and Tiwonge.
Statement released by the following organisations:
Coalition to End Discrimination
Community Media Trust
SECTION27 incorporating the AIDS Law Project
Social Justice Coalition
Treatment Action Campaign
The continued incitement, in multiple African countries especially Zimbabwe, Malawi and Uganda, against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people is a gross violation of human rights. In allowing this abuse to continue, the door has been opened to reverse and retard progress on all human rights, including the right to dignity and full social, legal and political equality for women, and freedom of expression and the media amongst others.
It is essential that the Secretary General of the United Nations and the heads of other UN Agencies pay attention to what is happening to sexual minorities in Africa and voice their strong disapproval and call for the dropping of all charges against the two men. Unjust, obsolete homophobic laws are retarding social progress and need to be repealed. These laws are being used as political decoys by politicians instead of facing the real problems of poverty and declining standards of living on the continent problems which can only be addressed through an unwavering commitment to human rights, equality and justice.
In particular, we call on the South African government, as the only state in Africa to recognise equality for sexual minorities, to defend the South African constitution by offering asylum to the two men convicted in Malawi and negotiating their immediate release from prison. Everyone who supports human rights should send a protest note to the Malawian embassy in their country and join an immediate campaign to free Steven and Tiwonge.
Statement released by the following organisations:
Coalition to End Discrimination
Community Media Trust
SECTION27 incorporating the AIDS Law Project
Social Justice Coalition
Treatment Action Campaign
2014 Signatures
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Nathan Geffen
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Marieke Rodenburg
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Rex Saldana
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jane cheadle
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Sharon Cooper
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Keletso Makofane
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Carla Tsampiras
- Comments
- Do not let the struggle of so many be undermined by those who have no respect for human rights - South Africa has the ability to put pressure on the Malawian government.
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Tim Tucker
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Leila Hall
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Paul Davis
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Oscar Yepes
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Firoze Manji
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Faizel Slamang
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Community Media Trust
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Jack Lewis
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Meg Bisineer
- Comments
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Bianca Sossen
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Luis Rafael
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Gemma Cowan
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Serena O'Sullivan
- Comments
- В
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Lisa Cohen
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christopher myson
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Megan
- Comments
- Equality. Justice. Rights.
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Rita Griebenow
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Dalli Weyers
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Malungelo Booi
- Comments
- This is just madness... and a violation of human rights of these 2 men
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Henry
- Comments
- this is a travesty of justice
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toni kruger
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Sue King
- Comments
- It seems to me that being jailed for simply loving another human being is a bit ludicrous. Especially in 2010. Aren't we supposed to be living in the modern age?
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Lyn van Rooyen
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Dylan van vuuren
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Katalin Wilkinson
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Andree Gacoin
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Christina Webb
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Wendell
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- Nobody should be treated unfairly because of their sexual orientation.
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Tessa Baird
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RainbowUCT
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- This is an unacceptable! Human rights should be universal and not restricted by borders.
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Kathy Eales
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Paul Meinhold
- Comments
- I find that in this day and age, it's disgusting that countries can still do this...
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Jake
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Aaron Shapiro
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Aimee
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Sarah Huggins
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Jocelyn
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Brogan Duncan
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Siphu Khundayi
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Marco Schreuder
- Comments
- A shame for Malawia. Marco Schreuder, member of the City Council, Vienna, Austria
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Darya Farhoodi
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Stephanie Connors
- Comments
- This is more that important for international relations.
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Rebecca Ayres
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2014
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