Sanday Chongo Kabange, AfricaNews reporter in Lusaka, Zambia
Three human rights workers involved in the defense of the famous Malawi gay couple have been arrested, according to a release from the UK-based Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) equality group, OutRage! The couple are in police custody and face a maximum imprisonment of 14 years.
The released added: "All have been associated with the campaign to defend Steven Monjeza (26) and Tiwonge Chimbalanga (20), who held a same-sex engagement ceremony in Malawi two weeks ago."
The leader of OutRage! Peter Tatchell, described the couple as "the first same-sex couple to begin the process of getting married in Malawi," and reported that, "Both men are being held on remand in Chichiri Prison on charges of homosexuality, pending their trial on 15 January."
The charges faced by the human rights activists who have been arrested after standing up for the couple included a pornography rap that resulted from one of the activists possessing educational materials relevant to safer sex practices, Tatchell said.
"The three arrested activists have been bailed pending further police investigations," he said. "One is facing pornography charges relating to safer sex and HIV education materials. He was required to report to the police."
A fourth man was expected to turn himself over to authorities. Tatchell noted: "All four campaigners work for the Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP), which does HIV prevention work among marginalized Malawian communities, including sex workers, migrants, prisoners and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.”
In Malawi "unnatural" intimacy is illegal, but more often gays are persecuted under decency laws. Such was the case for Monjeza and Chimbalanga, their December 26, 2009 engagement celebration was cited as an example of "gross indecency."
The men were placed under arrest on December 27 2009 and subsequently denied bail. "The accused have the right to bail, but considering the public interest their case has generated, it is the view of the court that they are safe in police custody than out there," Chief Resident Magistrate Nyakwawa Usiwa-Usiwa declared.
Three human rights workers involved in the defense of the famous Malawi gay couple have been arrested, according to a release from the UK-based Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) equality group, OutRage! The couple are in police custody and face a maximum imprisonment of 14 years.
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