IGLHRC action alert on Malawi

Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga. (Eldson Chagara / Reuters)

The International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission has launched a letter writing campaign to "End Arrests and Discrimination Against LGBT People":

Join the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission in calling upon the Malawi government to release Steven Monjeza (age 26) and Tiwonge Chimbalanga (age 20) from detention and end discrimination against LGBT and HIV/AIDS activists. After their traditional engagement on December 27, 2009, the two were arrested on December 28, 2009 and charged with "unnatural offenses" and "indecent practices between males" (Sections 153 and 156 of the Malawi Penal Code) with a potential sentence of up to 14 and 5 years in prison, respectively. The two were then denied bail, and prosecutors subjected them to internal medical examinations without their consent.

Click on the link above for more background and a sample letter to Malawi officials.