Malawi suspends anti-homosexual law ahead of elections On Monday, Justice Minister Ralph Kasambara said the moratorium on Malawi's anti-gay laws, which see sexual conduct between men punishable by up to 14 years imprisonment, would remain in place until parliament voted on a new law. It is better to let one criminal get away with it rather than throw a lot of innocent people in jail. Homosexuality is banned in 37 African states and in some countries, including Mauritania, Sudan and northern Nigeria, it is punishable by death. Malawi made world headlines in 2010 when two gay men were arrested for getting married. Steven Monjeza, 26, and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, 20, were arrested and locked up for five months during their trial and after their conviction, until President Bingu wa Mutharika pardoned them on May 29 amid international outrage and protests. Noel Kututwa, southern Africa Director for Amnesty International, applauded the latest announcement as a step towards repealing the law. "We urge the government not to lose momentum on this basic human rights issue and to ensure the full repeal of these discriminatory and hate-filled laws," he said.