Botswana's High Court unanimously rules to overturn law criminalizing homosexuality

The LGBTQ movement in Botswana just scored a major victory — the country's High Court unanimously overturned a law criminalizing same-sex relations on Tuesday.

"A democratic society is one that embraces tolerance, diversity, and open-mindedness," Justice Michael Leburu said. "Societal inclusion is central to ending poverty and fostering shared prosperity."

Before the ruling, Botswana's penal code carried a maximum sentence of seven years imprisonment for "carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature" and maximum 2-year sentence for "acts of gross indecency" in public or private, reports CNN. But Letsweletse Motshidiemang, a 21-year-old student at the University of Botswana, brought a case to court in March, arguing that homosexuality was more widely accepted in a changed society. Many agreed; the packed court erupted into cheers after the ruling was announced.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Neela Ghoshal, a senior researcher for Human Rights Watch, told CNN that the ruling sets a "powerful precedent" for LGBTQ rights on the African continent, though Kenya did recently uphold its laws criminalizing homosexuality.