Progress

Malawi Suspends Anti-Gay Laws

Laws have been shelved until repeal vote.

Human-rights group Amnesty International reported Monday that Malawi is suspending its anti-gay laws until a Parliament vote is held on whether to repeal them altogether. Same-sex relationships are currently illegal in the country, and participants in such relationships can be punished with up to 14 years in prison. Malawi has a history of enforcing these laws: in 2010, two men were arrested after getting married, but were released after an international outcry. That same year, another man was arrested for putting up posters in support of homosexuality. The move for repeal is aimed at pleasing international donors, who have threatened to withhold funds from countries that violate gay rights.