The Malawian Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Ralph Kasambara, announced yesterday that police have been ordered to not arrest or prosecute gay or lesbian people until Parliament has debated the issue. Currently on the books, someone found perpetrating homosexual acts can be sentenced to up to 14 years in jail. Traditional and religious leaders (Malawi is 80% Christian) support the laws condemning homosexuality.
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| Oh look! Malawi! |
In 2010, two Malawian men were arrested for claiming to be married to each other. International supporters condemned the action and some donor funding was pulled. While the president at the time ultimately pardoned them (Malawi is poor and highly dependent on western donors), he went on record to say they had "committed a crime against our culture, against our religion, and against our laws." Current President Joyce Banda, who I've raved about in this blog before (
having cut her salary 30%), made it clear early on in her presidency that she intended to have the anti-homosexual laws overturned.
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| President Joyce Banda |
Random Kate Thoughts: A student of mine brought up in class today how Obama coming out in favor of gay marriage has affected the thinking of many African leaders. While I don't have any proof of direct influence, I would like to think that Obama, as a highly respected African-American man and president of one of the most powerful nations in the world, might have influence as far-reaching as little Malawi in the middle of Africa. The elections happening in America today aside, I am glad that the Malawian Parliament is opening itself up for discussion around such an important human rights issue, regardless of who holds the purse strings.
LOVE THIS!!!! too bad i left 2 weeks ago! me and my girl could have celebrated :)
ReplyDeleteThis is Awesome!! She is also now ranked as the most powerful woman in Africa by Forbes!!! :)
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