HUMAN RIGHTS IN MALAWI

Early day motion 84, tabled 26 May 2010 by John Hemming (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 35 members.

That this House notes the same-sex engagement ceremony in late December 2009 of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, their subsequent prosecution on charges of homosexuality and the 14 year jail sentence imposed upon them; calls on the President of Malawi to ensure that they are released from jail and that all charges against them are dropped; and further calls on the Government of Malawi to decriminalise homosexuality in accordance with the equality and anti-discrimination provisions of Article 20 of the Malawian constitution and Articles 2, 3 and 4 of the African Charter on Human and People's Rights, and to ensure equal treatment and human rights for all Malawian citizens, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Signatures by party: Labour 18, Liberal Democrat 13, Conservative 1, Green 1, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1.