US orders Malawi to free gay pair

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Virginia Palmer

The United States of America government through its embassy in Lilongwe has ordered Malawi Government to drop charges against Cuthbert Kulemela, 19, and Kelvin Gonani, 39, the two gay people arrested recently for having sex with each other.

In a statement posted on their official Facebook page, the US ambassador to Malawi, Virginia Palmer, says she is deeply concerned with the arrest of teenager and his partner in the capital city.

Virginia Palmer
Ambassador Palmer: Malawi must drop the charges

The embassy says it regards the arrest as unlawful. The couple was arrested in Lilongwe on December 7 and charged with sodomy which is in violation of section 153 of the Penal Code.

The two were also subjected to a medical examination without their consent. However, the American Embassy has strongly reminded the Malawi Government of its commitment to not arrest people who are engaged in consensual same-sex activity.

“I urge the Malawi government to make good on its international human rights obligations, drop the charges, and resolve this unfortunate incident as quickly as possible,” reads part of the statement.

The pair has been released on bail.

Meanwhile, Malawians who commented on the US embassy’s post have responded by demanding the Ambassador Palmer to leave the country.