Botswana decriminalises anti-gay law

The southern African nation Botswana’s High Court rejected sections of the penal code that criminalise same-sex relations and impose up to seven years in prison.

Activists and rights groups cheered the unanimous ruling, which called the sections unconstitutional.

Less than a month ago, Kenya’s High Court upheld similar sections of the penal code, dashing campaigners’ hopes the country’s colonial-era laws would be overturned.

More than two dozen countries in sub-Saharan Africa have laws criminalising gay sex.

Botswana is regarded as one of Africa's most stable and democratic nations but homosexuality is outlawed under the country's penal code of 1965.

In March, the court postponed a ruling on the issue after an unnamed applicant challenged two sections of the penal code under which offenders face a jail sentence of up to seven years.

Earlier this year, the southern African nation of Angola also decriminalized same-sex activity and banned discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Those arguing against the laws criminalizing gay sex say they leave people in the LGBT community vulnerable to discrimination and abuse while making it difficult to access basic health and other services.