"Gay couple from Malawi face up to 14 years in jail; Case may hurt efforts to fight AIDs, some say" by Raphael Tenthani, Associated Press | May 19, 2010
BLANTYRE, Malawi — A gay couple who had celebrated their engagement were convicted by a judge yesterday of charges that could send them to jail for more than a decade — a ruling activists fear could send others into hiding and hamper the fight against AIDS.
Malawi’s government has been defiant in the face of international criticism over the couple’s prosecution since they were arrested in December....
The men were convicted of unnatural acts and gross indecency under laws dating from the colonial era. A Blantyre chief resident magistrate, Nyakwawa Usiwa, said the sentencing will take place tomorrow and they could be imprisoned for up to 14 years.
The verdict is “extremely disturbing,’’ said Michaela Clayton of the Namibia-based AIDS & Rights Alliance for Southern Africa, saying it could encourage antigay sentiment in the region as well as set back the fight against AIDS.
Gay people forced underground in Africa are unlikely to seek counseling and treatment for AIDS, activists say. In Malawi, nearly 1 million people — an estimated 12 percent of the population — are living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
Homosexuality is illegal in at least 37 countries in Africa, including Malawi.
The courtroom was packed yesterday, and hundreds more people waited outside for a glimpse of the couple....
I wish I had not glimpsed this article.
The government, backed by Malawi church leaders, says it is clear the two men broke the law. Religious officials say homosexuality is sinful and the West should not be allowed to use its financial power to force Malawi to accept homosexuality. Malawi relies on donors for 40 percent of its development budget.
That is some choice.
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"Gay men in Malawi get 14 years in prison; Human rights groups and US condemn ruling" by Raphael Tenthani, Associated Press | May 21, 2010
BLANTYRE, Malawi — A judge sentenced a couple to the maximum 14 years in prison with hard labor under Malawi’s antigay legislation, and crowds jeered the two men as they were driven from the courthouse to jail yesterday.
The sentence for unnatural acts and gross indecency had been expected after the same judge convicted Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza earlier this week under laws dating from the colonial era. The case has drawn international condemnation and sparked a debate on human rights in this conservative southern African country....
--more--"Related: Gay couple gets presidential pardon
Malawi gay couple lay low after pardon
I don't want to know anymore.
