Peter Tatchell

Three Malawian human rights defenders have now been arrested. All have been associated with the campaign to defend Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, who held a same-sex engagement ceremony in Malawi two weeks ago.  

LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said:
"Both men are being held on remand in Chichiri Prison on charges of homosexuality, pending their trial on January 15. I have sent a message of support, which has been delivered to them in jail.

"The three arrested activists have been bailed pending further police investigations. One is facing pornography charges relating to safer sex and HIV education materials. He was required to report to the police today

"The Executive Director of CEDEP (Centre for the Development of People), Gift Trapence, has not yet been arrested but plans to hand himself in to the police next Monday.

"All four campaigners work for the CEDEP, which does HIV prevention work among marginalised Malawian communities, including sex workers, migrants, prisoners and LGBT people.  

"Fortunately, all these activists have good legal representation, headed by Mauya Msuku. Mr Msuku is planning to submit a new legal application to secure bail for Steven and Tiwonge and to get the charges against them dropped. His submission argues that Malawi's laws against homosexuality are discriminatory and therefore unconstitutional.  

"Yesterday, the two men were taken to hospital, where they were going to be subjected to intimate internal medical examinations, in a bid to determine whether they have had sex with each other. Both Steven and Tiwonge were planning to refuse to give their consent. We are still awaiting news on whether these examinations were carried out against their will. If they were, it would constitute unlawful assault and could invalidate the police case against them."

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