THE POWER OF MADONNA
Madonna is celebrating the release of a gay Malawian couple who were locked up over their homosexuality, according to reports. The Material Girl had launched a vocal campaign to free the couple after she heard the news of their imprisonment. Madonna – who has adopted two children from Malawi and is currently building a school for girls in the country through her Raising Malawi charity –said she was “shocked and saddened” by the Malawi government's decision and called upon people all over the world to oppose the ruling.
Homosexuality is still illegal in the African country and Steven Monjenza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga were sentenced to 14 years hard labour for gross indecency and unnatural acts. However, following Madonna’s plea for fans to sign a petition calling for their release, they were freed on Saturday by the President of Malawi on “humanitarian” grounds.Shortly after, Madonna took to her blog to thank the thousands of people who had joined her campaign to release the two men. She wrote: “In the last week, over 30,000 of you added your name to mine calling for the release of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalangal – the Malawi couple sentenced to 14 years hard labour for the ‘crime’ of homosexuality. “With incredible joy, I am writing to share with you that Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika has ordered their release." Although Monjeza and Chimbalanga are out of prison, activists are still working to find a safe haven for the couple. "Though they are free from prison, sadly their safety and future in Malawi is still unknown. I hope this is just the beginning of our work together," Madonna added.
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