Proving that U.N. still has muscle, Ban Ki Moon wins pardon for gay Malawi couple

The gay Malawi couple jailed for 14 years hard labor following an engagement ceremony, have been released after the U.N.Secretary General, Ban-ki Moon, intervened on their behalf. Malawi’s president, Bingu wa Mutharika, asked for their immediate release while restating his opposition to homosexuality. "I have done this on humanitarian grounds but this does not mean that I support this," he said. British human rights campaigner, Peter Tatchell, who championed their case, thanked the president and the Secretary General, adding, "Steven and Tiwonge should never have been arrested, let alone jailed for five months, convicted and sentenced to 14 years hard labour. They love one another and have harmed no one. I hope the government of Malawi will now show true humanitarian leadership by repealing the criminalization of homosexuality and enacting laws to protect gay people against discrimination and hate crimes, as South Africa has done.