Botswana will appeal high court's ruling that decriminalized same-sex relations

Botswana's government is seeking to overturn what was considered a major victory for LGBTQ rights in the country.

Botswana's high court unanimously overturned a colonial-era law criminalizing same-sex relations in June, but the government will appeal the ruling.

"I am of the view that the high court erred in arriving at this conclusion and, thus, I have decided to note an appeal with the court of appeal," Abraham Keetshabe, Botswana's attorney general, said in a statement, adding that he "thoroughly" read the 132-page-long judgment. He did not give any further details on the grounds for appeal.

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The high court initially overturned the law because it violated privacy, liberty, and dignity, while serving no public interest. "Human dignity is harmed when minority groups are marginalized," Judge Michael Elburu said at the time. "Sexual orientation is not a fashion statement. It is an important attribute of one's personality."