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Malawian gays cry foul

  1. Posted on Wednesday 10 February 2010 - 14:24
    Richard Chirombo
    Image of Richard Chirombo
    Malawian gays have cried foul over what they call 'underground arrests and intimidation' of perceived gay people.
    Malawi Gay Rights Movement (Magrim) Spokesperson, Wongani James Phiri, said today , at least, 15 gays have been arrested since December 28, 2009 whebn the issue of the suspected gay couple of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga got arrested for staging a public gay engagement.
    Phiri said Malawian gays were now living in "fear, not knowing what will happen tomorrow simply bacause of their sexual orientation".
    "So far, over 15 of our members have been arrestedon various charges, though we may not link them directly to the issue of Chimbalanga and Monjeza. Why have things changed all of a sudden; that our members are getting arrested? This thing must stop," said Phiri.
    However, there are currently no more than three people arrested in connection with gay issues, one of which was arrested for pasting posters proclaiming gay rights and freedoms.
    Magrim's sentiments also come fast in the wake of assurances by Deputy Information Minister that all those linked with gay activities will face the law since homosexuality is illegal in Malawi.
    Just on Tuesday, a court in Blantyresentenced a self-acclaimed gay man, Davis Mpanda to 10 years in prison with hard labour for having canal knowledge of a fellow man.
    The Penal Code describes this having sex against the nature of man and accepted morality standards.
    But Phiri said Magrim will press on with the cause of gay rights in Malawi, adding that was why Magrim staged a demonstration in Blantyre, albeit with only six people as other "gays were afraid".

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