Ban on gay sex in St. Kitts & Nevis struck down by EC Supreme Court
BASSTERRE- According to press agency Reuters, the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court has ruled that a Saint Kitts and Nevis prohibition on gay sex is ‘unconstitutional’, because it violates the right to privacy, striking down one of a handful of bans on same-sex intercourse that still exist in the region.
The ruled against two portions of the Offences Against the Person Act, adopted in the dual-island nation in 1873, which called for up to ten years imprisonment for having or attempting to have gay sex.
“The law’s statutes criminalising gay sex are inconsistent with the constitution and, as such, (are) null and void and of no force and effect,” wrote High Court Judge Trevor M. Ward in a decision dated Aug. 29.
‘Buggery laws’
The suit was brought by Jamal Jeffers, a gay man from the Caribbean nation, and a non-profit organisation called Saint Kitts and Nevis Alliance for Equality.
So-called ‘Buggery laws’ remain on the books in several Caribbean nations, including Jamaica and Barbados.
More News
-
Bonaire
Finally End in Sight for Long-Drawn-Out Case of Sorobon Windsurf School
-
News
Concerning Trends Revealed in Crime Analysis for the Caribbean Netherlands
-
Bonaire
Bonaire Issues 65 Public Domain Plots in Long Lease
-
Bonaire
Bonaire gets a modern residential complex for the elderly
-
Bonaire
Public Prosecutor’s Office Appeals for Witnesses After Downtown Kralendijk Shooting
-
Government
Bonaire Working on New Regulation for Alcohol and Tobacco Use
-
St. Eustatius
State Secretary Vincent Karremans Visits Statia Next Week
-
Advertisement
Apply for AOV
More News
-
Bonaire
Finally End in Sight for Long-Drawn-Out Case of Sorobon Windsurf School
-
News
Concerning Trends Revealed in Crime Analysis for the Caribbean Netherlands
-
Bonaire
Bonaire Issues 65 Public Domain Plots in Long Lease
-
Bonaire
Bonaire gets a modern residential complex for the elderly
-
Bonaire
Public Prosecutor’s Office Appeals for Witnesses After Downtown Kralendijk Shooting
-
Government
Bonaire Working on New Regulation for Alcohol and Tobacco Use
-
St. Eustatius
State Secretary Vincent Karremans Visits Statia Next Week
-
Advertisement
Apply for AOV