Ban Ki-moon Rainbow Labour MP Chris Carter has written to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to commend him for his intervention in the case of a Malawi couple jailed for sodomy. Carter says Ban has shown he has courage and is genuinely committed to human rights, by speaking out about the 14 year jail terms handed to Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga. After meeting with Ban last week, Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika pardoned the pair. Carter writes to the UN head: “This was a brave and admirable action on your part because l know many people in Malawi feel strongly about the issue of homosexuality. Without your intervention those two young men would still be serving their harsh sentence of 14 years with hard labour.” Carter adds that a commitment and belief in human rights is very strong in New Zealand society. He says New Zealanders believe that freedom and respect for individual rights is something which is very important to all our people regardless of their race, religion, gender or sexual orientation. The Te Atatu MP writes that he hopes the action of Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika in pardoning the pair will cause some Malawians to think again about their attitudes toward homosexual people in their country. “Your actions in seeking justice for those two young men in Malawi was very admirable and will no doubt add to your already considerable reputation as a man of honour and justice,” the letter finishes. Carter tells GayNZ.com he thought it was really important to try and encourage and acknowledge positive steps that had been taken. “I was just so inspired by Ban Ki Moon raising this issue … I just think it was fantastic that he did.”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Saturday, 5th June 2010 - 12:33pm