Muslim Association of Malawi calling for country's homosexuals to be given the death penalty

This suggestion comes at a time as some Civil Society Organisations (CSO) are pushing for the country to abolish the statute that penalise the act. Currently the maximum jail term sentence for those found guilty by the courts is 14 years.

In what will be viewed as stirring up hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation, MAM Secretary General Dr Salmin Omar Idrussi is advancing that homosexuality should remain criminalised and the maximum sentence should be pegged at death.

“Although Malawi is regarded as a secular state but the country is blessed with God fearing citizens who can’t afford to deviate from God’s commandments for the sake of pleasing others who practice the act,’’ Idrussi is quoted by malawimuslims.com, an official website for Malawi Muslims.

‘‘Even animals like goats don’t do this, what more with human beings like us who were blessed with wisdom by the Almighty God? The offenders need to be handed death penalty as a way of making sure that the issue is curbed.”

Idruss argues that capital punishment was the only way to rid society of homosexuality.

He said Muslims condemn sinful behaviour in society and would want death penalty clause in the laws for homosexuality.

Recently, Christian churches called for the government to call for a referendum for Malawians to make a choice on the matter.

Sheikh Idrussi said the plebiscite should be asking people whether they are happy with the current law which attracts a maximum penalty of a 14 year jail term of put death penalty.

UNAids, the Malawi Law Society and Malawian rights groups have asked the High Court to overturn as unconstitutional laws banning same-sex relationships.

They also challenge the convictions of three men jailed in 2011.

The three men convicted in 2011 by a Magistrate’s court in Blantyre are Amon Champyunu, Mathews Bello and Mussa Chiwisi. All are serving long jail term ranging from 10 to 14 years.

But Supreme Court of Appeal has granted Government a stay order stopping proceedings of the matter.

"As long as same-sex relationships are consensual and in private no one has business to get bothered," law society spokesman Felicia Kilembe said.

In Malawi, homosexuality became contentious in 2009, when two men were arrested and charged with public indecency for getting married in a traditional ceremony. Gay activists want the court to declare the laws criminalising homosexuality unconstitutional.

Source: Nyasa Times, Feb. 17, 2014

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