Malawi drops gay sex charges against men after international outcry |

December 21, 2015 – Reported by Pink News – Malawi has dropped charges against two men who were arrested under gay sex laws, after pressure from the US and UK. The country’s government, which is heavily reliant on support from NGOs and Western aid money, had confirmed last year that it would no longer arrest people for same-sex sexual acts – an agreement first laid out in 2012 after a prolonged campaign. That agreement appeared to be shattered this week when it emerged that 19-year-old Cuthbert Kulemela and 39-year-old Kelvin Gonani had been arrested, charged and detained on gay sex grounds. However, after international governments voiced concern that the country was sliding backwards on equality, Malawi’s Justice Minister has stepped in to quash the case. According to the Nyasa Times, Minister for Justice Samuel Tembenu said all charges against the two men had been dropped, while a “moratorium” on gay sex convictions will be introduced to adhere to “universally accepted human rights standards”. He added that the government acknowledges the viewpoint that no one should be arrested on the grounds of their sexuality or gender identity, and re-committed to reviewing the country’s anti-gay laws…story continues below…