Facebook group seeks to secure release of gay couple.

A support group for a gay couple sentenced to 14 years in jail goes from strength to strength.

The couple, Steven Monjeza & Tiwonge Chimbalanga were arrested in Malawi, Africa in December of 2009 and were sentenced on the 25th May 2010 to 14yrs in jail with hard labour.

The social network groups 25,000 plus members seek the immediate release of the two men whilst showing their disgust at the sentence by the corrupt Malawian government.

“Support for the gay couple sentenced to 14yrs in prison!” was set up to start a letter and email writing campaign to secure the release of Steven & Tiwonge and the group has leapt to over twenty-five thousand supporters in a matter of days. The group continues to grow and shows no signs of abating illustrating the strength of support for the jailed couple.

Recently the Malawian authorities forcibly separated the couple in a move that human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell called "a cruel, malicious and vindictive attempt to cause the couple psychological distress and heartache"

The group was the inspiration of Mr Feather who's Malawian partner had to flee from Malawi after being nearly beaten to death because of his sexuality.

"My hope is that this letter campaign will send a message of comfort to Steven & Tiwonge and a clear message to the Malawian government that this breach of human rights is not acceptable" said Mr Feather

“I urge people to write to the prison in Blantyre. Groups such as Amnesty international have shown that such letter writing campaigns can be very effective in securing the release of prisoners of conscience. The support group has further details of how readers can get involved with petitions, letters, demonstrations and donations”

Readers can send letters of support to Steven & Tiwonge c/o Chichiri prison:

Steven Monjeza &Tiwonge Chimbalanga, Prisoners, Chichiri Prison, P.O.Box 30117, Blantyre 3, Malawi