Henry Bellingham 'deeply dismayed' at Malawi conviction
Foreign Office Minister Henry Bellingham states Malawi conviction 'runs counter to a positive trend' in Malawi human rights developments.
In a joint statement Henry Bellingham, FCO Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Stephen O鈥橞rien, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for International Development, and Lynne Featherstone, Minister for Equality at the Home Office said:
鈥榃e are deeply dismayed by the conviction for buggery and indecent practices of Mr Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Mr Steven Monjeza. We are also very concerned by the allegations of their mistreatment in police custody.
Malawi has made significant progress on human rights in recent years. 皇冠体育app Government has signed up to international human rights treaties and Malawi鈥檚 constitution protects the rights of all its citizens. Infringement of these rights is intolerable. 皇冠体育app conviction and sentencing to the maximum 14 years鈥� imprisonment of Mr Chimbalanga and Mr Monjeza, runs counter to a positive trend.
Britain has a close and strong partnership with Malawi and it is in this spirit that we raise our concerns. 皇冠体育app UK believes that human rights apply to everyone regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
皇冠体育app UK urges the Government of Malawi to review its laws to ensure the defence of human rights for all, without discrimination on any grounds. 皇冠体育app UK, along with our international partners, will continue to press the Government of Malawi on this issue.鈥�