UN asks Malawi to protect homosexuals

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Friday urged Malawi to protect gays and lesbians after an opposition party spokesman described homosexuals as "worse than dogs" and called for them to be killed.

People's Party spokesman Kenneth Msonda made the comments on Facebook earlier this month and then in subsequent media interviews.

He was charged for inciting others to break the law after two rights' groups registered a complaint.

But state prosecutors dropped the case on Thursday, a day before Msonda was due to appear in court.

"Gays and lesbians are worse than dogs, (they are) sons and daughters of the evil one," Msonda wrote on Facebook.

"Arresting them won't address this problem because sooner or later they are being released on bail, the best way to deal with this problem is to kill them."

The office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said the Malawian government must protect people from hatred and violence based on their sexual orientation.

"We are concerned that the failure to prosecute this case sends a dangerous message that inciting others to kill gay people is legitimate and will be tolerated by the authorities," it said.

Msonda told AFP on Friday: "The case is closed, and there is no apology."

Colonial-era legislation outlawing sodomy in Malawi is currently suspended while under review, though homosexuality is widely seen as taboo.

The People's Party was in power between 2012 and 2014, led by president Joyce Banda.