A high court in Windhoek, Namibia declared two colonial-era laws criminalizing same-sex acts between men unconstitutional on Friday, marking a significant victory for the LGBTQ community in the country. The laws in question, "sodomy" and "unnatural sexual offences," have been considered unconstitutional and invalid by the judges. These laws, originating from 1927 during Namibia's colonial period, were maintained after the country gained independence from South Africa in 1990.
The ruling was celebrated by LGBTQ rights groups. Friedel Dausab, the activist who initiated the case, expressed relief, stating that he no longer feels like a criminal due to his sexual orientation. The Human Dignity Trust in London described the decision as "historic," and UNAIDS regional director Anne Githuku-Shongwe emphasized that the ruling is a step towards a more inclusive Namibia. This decision stands out amid a backdrop of increasing intolerance towards LGBTQ rights in southern Africa. While some African countries have legalized same-sex relationships, South Africa remains the sole African nation to have legalized gay marriage.