By Mtheto Lungu, AfricaNews
LILONGWE, MALAWI, 1 February 2010: About thirty-five Southern African non-governmental organizations demand arrested gay couple Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza released without condition. The NGOs argue the arrest and trial on suspected homosexuality compromises the fight against hiv/aids and mostly violates fundamental rights.
Under sections 153 and 156 of the Penal Code, homosexuality is against the laws of Malawi.
– These laws must be repealed as they are discriminatory, said the NGO’s umbrella body, Aids and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa.
Last week Malawi’s lawmakers meeting in the capital Lilongwe bashed European parliamentarians of trying to work against the enshrined laws of a sovereign state. Leader of the Parliamentary group on legal affairs challenged the British and Scottish chambers not to enforce their moral and cultural belief on the people of Malawi.
Earlier, Minister of Information and Civic Education, Ledford Thotho, said no matter what happens, Malawi was a sovereign state and homosexuality was an immoral and criminal act under the country’s laws. The religious and traditional leaders echoed his sentiments.
