By Thaddeus M. Baklinski
BLANTYRE, Malawi, May 19, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A Malawian judge has ruled against a homosexual couple that staged a symbolic same-sex “wedding.”
Magistrate Nyakwawa Usiwa convicted both men of engaging in homosexual acts, which he said was “against the order of nature.”
Prosecutor Barbra Mchenga is reported to have urged the judge to hand down the maximum sentence of 14 years in prison. Usiwa said he will sentence the two men on Thursday.
“Their offence was well planned and well executed. The case has left a scar on Malawi's morality,” she said. “The two did not show any remorse or regret for their actions. They seem to have been very proud of their action.”
The Malawian minister of information, Leckford Mwanza Thotho, told the Malawi Voice his government is pleased with the conviction of twenty-year old Tiwonge Chimbalanga and 26-year old Steven Monjeza for “gross indecency” and “unnatural acts.”
“What we are saying is that the ruling or the court proceeding as of today reflects our tradition in Malawi. It just shows that the gay issue is against our culture in Malawi,” he said.
The Malawi Voice reported that U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley issued a statement condemning the court's decision, saying the U.S. views the criminalization of sexual orientation and gender identity as a step backward in the protection of human rights in Malawi and urging the Malawian government to respect the human rights of all of its citizens.
Information Minister Thotho said in response that Malawai has the right to defend its constitution and protect its citizens from the encroachment of Western ideas about sexuality
“I think what we must understand is every country has got its traditions and culture which they have to follow, and if there is something very strange in nature which would have a very negative impact on the country,” said Thotho.