CALL FOR ACTION TO GERMAN & OTHER EUROPEAN ALLIES
Dear friends, colleagues and Comrades
A court in Blantyre, Malawi yesterday, 18 May 2010, convicted a gay couple of gross indecency and unnatural acts. Steven Monjeza (26) and Tiwonge Chimbalanga (20) were arrested in December 2009 after celebrating their engagement and had their bail applications denied. They have been in jail ever since and could now face at least 14 years in prison. Sentencing is expected within the next week.
The increasing incitement, in multiple African countries especially Zimbabwe, Malawi and Uganda, against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people is a gross violation of human rights. Homophobic 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. The door has been opened to reverse and retard a post-colonial progress on all human rights. Human rights can only be ensured through an unwavering commitment to equality, freedom and justice for all.
The South African government, as the only state in Africa to recognise equality for sexual minorities, must be called 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. Contact your government and all other political parties to take a stand in defence of the human right of Steven and Tiwonge. Inform the media (Malawian and others) about your outrage and actions. Activate all your national and international networks to create multiple campaigns for the liberation of Steven and Tiwonge. Please email your actions/press clippings, etc. for documentation to:
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We will appreciate if we could collectively brainstorm about multiple actions for trans-national struggle and solidarity.
In struggle
Phumi Mtetwa
Mobile tel. no. in Germany: +4917637645950
The Lesbian and Gay Equality Project in partnership with South African based organisations:
Coalition to End Discrimination
Community Media Trust
Equal Education
SECTION 27 incorporating the AIDS Law Project
Social Justice Coalition
Treatment Action Campaign
Please sign this petition as well: http://www.petitiononline.com/M100518R/petition.html
