Botswana formally repeals colonial-era anti-gay laws
Botswana has formally repealed sections of its penal code that criminalised consensual same-sex relationships, completing a legal process that began with a landmark High Court ruling in 2019. The court had declared the colonial-era provisions unconstitutional, a decision later upheld by the country’s Court of Appeal in 2021. The recent repeal officially removes the outdated language from the statute books and aligns national legislation with existing judicial rulings.
The move has been widely viewed as a significant step for human rights and legal reform in Africa, where many countries still retain colonial-era laws targeting LGBTQ+ communities. Botswana has increasingly been recognised for progressive legal developments related to equality and non-discrimination, with advocates describing the repeal as an important milestone for dignity, inclusion and social justice.
Source: Fodor’s Travel