Malawi anti-gay laws ‘still on suspension’: German says ‘gay rights are human rights’

German Ambassador to Malawi Peter Woeste has also spoken against discrimination against gays and lesbians, saying he is following with great concern discussions on rights of sexual minorities in the country.

The German Ambassador to Malawi Dr Peter Woeste: Gay rights are human rights
The German Ambassador to Malawi Dr Peter Woeste: Gay rights are human rights

Woeste said in a statement made available to Nyasa Times that Germany is passionately committed to human rights, saying “LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons) rights are human rights”.

His comments follows the hate-comments on those commenting against the arrest by police at Kanengo in Lilongwe last week of 19-year-old Cuthbert Kulemela and Kelvin Gonani, 39, on allegations that they engaged in homosexuality acts at the home of one of the suspects.

The United States of America (USA) and Human Rights Watch (HRW) have Malawi to drop charges of sodomy levelled against two men.

On social media some Malawians have been posting hate-filled messages targeted at US Ambassador Virginia Palmer, British diplomats, human rights activists who have called for the non-discrimination of LGBTI as a matter of human rights, public health and public order.

“I am deeply disturbed by ill-mannered reactions on the social media, especially people who defend LGBTI rights,” said the German envoy.

“Are those the same fellow brothers and sisters who are normally very vociferous about the idea of a ‘Christian Nation’? Are those [demonising LGBTI] the same people who ask for a prayer at the beginning of every meeting?” wondered Woetse.

He hopes the socially-conservative nation will return to gay rights “discussion of mutual respect.”

In London, Chairman of All Party Parliamentary Group of Zambia and Malawi, Oliver Colvie MP said he is “deeply disturbed” with the arrests of the Malawi men on anti-homosexuality law.

He states the there is a moratorium instituted in 2012 not to enforce the law that criminalises homosexuality and believes there are “some elements” in the President Peter Mutharika government who do not respect such moratorium.

“Whilst President Mutharika took the very welcome step of apply for the Global Fund for aid for LBGBTI health services, I am concerned that there are elements within the government that are no longer following this moratorium,” he wrote in a letter seen by Nyasa Times on Twitter to Parliamentary Under Secretary of State.

In the letter, Colvie wants Malawi Police to drop the charges against the two men and ensure the moratorium on Malawi’s anti-gay laws, which see people engaging in consensual same-sex activity punishable by up to 14 years imprisonment, would remain in place.

Minister of Justice Samuel Tembenu confirmed that there was a moratorium in place, but the ministry was investigating circumstances that led to the arrest of the two.

And President Mutharika has since expressed ignorance on the arrest of the two men at a time when there is a moratorium in place and summoned Minister of Home Affairs on the status of the charges against the two.

Mutharika, a law professor, has assured that Malawi will remain committed to its international human rights obligations.

But the move to suspend the criminalisation of homosexuality was condemned as “unconstitutional and illegal” by the powerful Malawi Law Society which say the government should use appropriate channels through parliament or the courts to issue such a suspension.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Kelekeni Kaphale said government will make its position known soon on the LGBTI situation.

He has not specified how soon this will be.

Malawi gay rights advocacy body, Centre for the Development of People (Cedep) and Human Rights Watch claim that the two men underwent forced medical examinations which, they said, was degrading and an insult to their dignity.

However, religious leaders are up in arms against homosexuality, describing it as a sin before God.

Malawi made world headlines in 2010 when two gay men were arrested for getting married. Steven Monjeza, 26, and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, 20, were arrested and locked up for five months during their trial and after their conviction, until President Bingu wa Mutharika pardoned them on May 29 amid international outrage and protests.

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Geoffrey Chimenya
Geoffrey Chimenya
8 years ago

As a christian nation, allowing this stupid thing called homo-sexual… Is so stupid. These evil countries ie America, Germany, etc.. They just wanna take Advantages on us for being poor. It is also Malawi’s right to say “NO” to gay/lesbian marriages. Just coz they come with their damn donations doesn’t mean that we must just say Yes to what they say. White people brought a bible to Africa, then they store our land. Now they want us to marry one another(same-sex marriages). Malawi!!! You are independent that means you can make decision without these white ass devils. Why should we… Read more »

Apoche
Apoche
8 years ago

These Western countries must respect African values and societies. They should let us decide what is best for us. Its not for them to tell us how we must conduct ourselves. We are an independent country. Malawians if we don’t work hard we will continue being subjected to evil from the West. We can do better without donors if we unite and work hard.

Felix
8 years ago

Evry white people please go back to ur country leave malawi alone we hate it rubishe

Tengupenya
Tengupenya
8 years ago

thieves are human too. yet when they break the law they are prosecuted.

Tengupenya
Tengupenya
8 years ago

it is awfully insane to complain about enforcement of a law.
if you do not like the law, take steps to change it and never blame those doing their job to enforce it.

bamusi
bamusi
8 years ago

Battery vs battery? Kkkk. Moto kuti buuuuuuuuuuuu! Nonsenu ndi analimata, a buluzi, shut up!

bamusi
bamusi
8 years ago

Anyani a michira. A tongwe tongwe.

wawa
wawa
8 years ago

MALAWI SAYS BEING GAY IS AGAINST GODS LAW AS WELL AS OUR CULTURE AND DESERVES PUNISHMENT..(we dont hate them we love them only that, its not our culture…..western countries it could be yours not ours….. we love African culture…..not same sex marriage because you are not able to propose,…..like Germany we know whats in there…please leave us alone on this ….

Kunta
Kunta
8 years ago

Gays are humans too please stop the hate

Sailota
Sailota
8 years ago

Ask him if he has ever done t with a fellow man.

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