Botswana Legalises Homosexuality

The High Court in Botswana has ruled to decriminalise homosexuality in the country on the basis that its criminalisation in the colonial era represented a violation of citizens constitutional rights of liberty, dignity, privacy and equality.

Delivering the ruling to overturn section 164 of the penal code the Courts stated "Any criminalisation of love, of finding fulfilment in love, dilutes compassion and tolerance."

Previously those found guilty of homosexuality faced up to seven years in prison.

The courts in Botswana have previously recognised the right to equal protection for gay people and President Masisi has also stated his support for the protection of LGBT citizens.

South Africa, Angola, Seychelles and Mozambique have all previously legalised homosexuality. However, in a similar case last month courts in Kenya ruled to uphold legislation criminalising gay sex, which is punishable by 14 years in jail.