Malawi Couple Imprisoned for Being Gay Officially Pardoned

[and-justice-for-all]

Malawi couple Steven Monjeza, 26, and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, 33, who were convicted earlier this month for having “carnal knowledge” of one another that was “against the order of nature", have been released after the country's president issued a begrudging pardon on Saturday, citing "humanitarian grounds" for overthrowing the couple's 14-year prison sentence.

From the Times Online:

“These boys committed a crime against our culture, our religion and our laws: however, as the head of state I hereby pardon them and therefore ask for their immediate release with no conditions,” President Bingu wa Mutharika said after a meeting with Ban Ki-moon, the United Nations secretary-general.

“I have done this on humanitarian grounds but this does not mean that I support this,” he added..

...Aid donors, including Britain and the United States, had criticized the sentence and said they would consider withdrawing support for the Lilongwe government unless the men were freed.

more: http://www.care2.com/causes/human-rights/blog/malawi-couple-imprisoned-for-being-gay-pardoned-by-president/