Malawi president pardons gay couple

Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika on Saturday pardoned a gay married couple jailed for 14 years after they got married. He made the announcement after talks with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Reuters

"I have decided that with effect from today, they are pardoned and they will be released," said Mutharika. "From a humanitarian point of view, they are released and pardoned forthwith."

Ban praised the decision and called on Malawi's parliament to change the country's laws, saying discrimination based on sexual orientation is against international human rights laws.

"I do appreciate and commend the very courageous decision to pardon these two gay boys," he said. "This outdated penal code should be reformed wherever it may exist."

Last week a court sentenced Steven Monjeza, 26, Tiwonge Chimbalanga, 20, to 14 years hard labour for sodomy. They were arrested on December 28 after a symbolic wedding.

Ban said he was confident Malawi would change its laws and said Mutharika stressed that the pardon is not because of foreign pressure.