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The reimposed law means those believed to be gay can be arrested.

The law first imposed in 2012 but was later placed “under review” by the Malawi government after western NGOs and states threatened to cut aid to the African nation as a resul – aid that Malawi is heavily reliant on.

However Malawi24 now reports that a judge in Mzuzu has instructed Malawi Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions to resume enforcing the law, while the government’s decision is “reviewed”.

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The decision to resume enforcing the law comes as a result of a case bought before the judge in which 19-year-old Cuthbert Kulemela and 39-year-old Kelvin Gonani had been arrested, charged and detained on gay sex grounds.

The ruling by the judge has prompted a judicial and governmental standoff with Minister for Justice Samuel Tembenu reinstating his viewpoint that no one should be arrested on the grounds of their sexuality or gender identity, and re-committed to reviewing the country’s anti-gay laws.

 

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