Britain offers asylum to Malawi gays

  1. Posted on Tuesday 1 June 2010 - 12:13
    Chancy Namadzunda
    Image of Chancy Namadzunda
    Chancy Namadzunda, AfricaNews reporter in Lilongwe, Malawi
    Britain has offered to grant asylum to the pardoned Malawi gay couple - Steven Monjeza, 26, and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, 20. According to Peter Thatchel, British Human Rights Campaigner from Outrage, the organization is in touch with the couple about their safety and wellbeing.
    Malawi gay couple sentenced to 14 years in jail
    “We are liaising with Steve and Tiwonge about whether they want to seek asylum
    abroad. If they want then we can help them to stay in Britain,” said Thatchel.

    Thatchel said although the couple was pardoned, there are possibilities that they will not have the room to operate freely in their relationship.

    Their lawyer Mauya Msuku shared Thatchel’s fears that they were unlikely to be treated in the same way if they were arrested again.

    “The pardon only applies to the offence under which they were convicted. If, for example, they go back and the State is of the view that they have re-committed the offence, the pardon will not apply,” Msuku said.

    UK and the US have been at the forefront in lampooning the southern African country for jailing the couple. President wa Mutharika has to succumb to the international pressure to order their release with immediate effect.

    Government officials have threatened that the couple would be put before the law again if found living together.

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