Botswana’s High Court Rules To Decriminalise Homosexuality
Botswana’s High Court has ruled in favour of decriminalising homosexuality in a landmark decision for campaigners.
The High Court rejected laws that impose up to seven years in prison for same-sex relationships, stating they were unconstitutional.
The move contrasts with Kenya’s recent ruling against campaigners seeking to overturn laws on gay sex. Angola, Mozambique and the Seychelles have all scrapped anti-homosexuality laws in recent years.
The Botswana law has been in place since 1965 when it was brought in by the colonial British government.
The case was brought to court by a student who argued society had changed and homosexuality was more widely accepted.
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7 Comments
Bee
June 11, 14:26The anonymous person was a student?!! Oh Nigeria, where art thou?
Anyway, I guess this goes to commemorate Wainaina.
Biggerchikx
June 11, 15:43Can someone take me to Botswana I want to get freedom
Malik
June 11, 16:43Nigeria, Kenya, see you mate.
Patrick
June 11, 18:00This is much needed good news for me.
I had staked my happiness on a favourable outcome in the Kenya ruling — we all know how that one panned out.
It’s just refreshing to know that not all Africans are sold on the myth that African cultures were inherently conservative and devoid of homosexual tendencies.
trystham
June 11, 20:28Azzzin. You can tell these ones are too in touch with their Africanness. They even have enough of their history to remember its a ‘colonial law’
Temi
June 11, 22:14It’s a joyful day in Botswana and also it gladdens the heart of everyone in the LGBTQA community.
Love will always win ?❤?❤?
Mandy
June 12, 08:32The satisfaction I’ll get WHEN Nigeria decriminalizes homosexuality won’t be as much about our long deserved freedom, as it’ll be about relishing the outrage of homophobes.
Congrats, Botswana.
You’ll get there, Nigeria.