Namibian Court Rules That Laws Prohibiting Homosexual Relations Are Unconstitutional

On Friday, June 21, a Namibian high court made history by declaring two colonial-era statutes that made same-sex acts between men illegal to be unconstitutional. This ruling represents a major win for Namibia’s LGBTQ community.

With assistance from the Human Dignity Trust in the UK, Namibian activist Friedel Dausab launched the lawsuit. It’s a beautiful day for Namibia,” Dausab said after the court’s ruling, expressing his happiness. Love won’t be a crime in the future.”

While convictions under the “sodomy” and “unnatural sexual offences” statutes were rare, rights campaigners have emphasized that these laws have encouraged ongoing discrimination against the LGBTQ community and given gay men a dread of being arrested.

When Namibia separated from South Africa in 1990, it took the laws with it, even though during colonial control, same-sex actions between men were first illegal.

Since then, South Africa has decriminalized same-sex relationships, and it is the only nation in Africa that permits LGBTQ couples to be married, adopt children, and form civil unions.

The death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality” was one of the worst anti-LGBTQ legislation ever passed by Uganda last year, in spite of strong condemnation from the West.

For example, a deadly anti-lesbian, homosexual, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) bill is being opposed by many in Ghana.