Lawyers for gay Malawian men challenge ban on homosexuality

Lawyers for two gay Malawian men arrested last month have requested a constitutional review of the country’s ban on homosexuality, reports Reuters.

The two men held a symbolic engagement ceremony on Dec 26 and were arrrested soon after. Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga were charged with “unnatural practices between males and gross public indecency,” and they face up to 14 years in prison.

From Reuters:

“The couple’s defence team argued in court Monday that their arrest on the basis of their perceived sexual orientation ‘amounts to discrimination, a violation of their rights to freedom of expression, conscience and expression as enshrined in our republican constitution.’” (Read the full story)

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The Dec 28, 2009 issue of Malawian newspaper The Nation. Pictured: Monjeza (left) and Chimbalanga (right).

Lasy week, Amnesty International called for the immediate and unconditional release of the gay couple.

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