O-blog-dee-o-blog-da

The Botswana High Court has announced that it will finally hear a case on the decriminalization of homosexuality next year:  According to our friends at Mamba Online, the full bench of the court ordered that a hearing challenging the constitutionality of sections 164(a), 164(c) and 167 of the Penal Code, which criminalizes same-sex sexual activities in Botswana, be heard on 15 March, 2019. The case, filed by a gay man identified only as LM, was originally set to have been heard in May but was postponed due to logistical reasons. This case comes on the heels of the decriminalization case currently before the Kenyan Court, where constitutionality of criminalization of human sexuality is also being tested.

Mamba notes:

Section 164 punishes anyone who “has carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature” or allows anyone else to “have carnal knowledge of him or her against the order of nature” with up to seven years in prison.

Section 167 outlaws “indecent practices between persons,” whether in public or private, with up to two years in prison.

In November 2017, the court ordered that the organisation Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals of Botswana (Legabibo) be admitted as amicus curiae (friend of the court) in the case.

“We are delighted that the court has set a hearing date for this really important case”, said Anna Mmolai-Chalmers, Legabibo’s CEO. “We respect the independence of the Botswana judiciary and we are positive that justice, fairness and human rights will prevail.”

Legabibo said it will advance submissions before the High Court “on the practical effect and social impact that sections 164(a), 164(c) and 167 of the Penal Code have on the lives of LGBT persons, including how it limits their ability to access basic services and infringes on their human dignity.”

It added that, “Decriminalisation of same-sex sexual activities is an important step towards advancing diversity of our nation.”

The courts in Botswana have increasingly affirmed the rights of LGBT people in a number of previous matters. In 2016, Legabibo won a historic case in the Court of Appeal that saw the government being ordered to officially acknowledge and register the organisation.

Mamba also reminds of the fact that the Botswana Courts have been leaning toward rights and protections its follows:

In that case, the court held that Botswana is a diverse nation and that all persons in Botswana, including LGBT persons are entitled to protection of their constitutional rights and dignity. The Court of Appeal also emphasised that it is not a crime to be gay in Botswana.

In two separate landmark cases, in September and December 2017, the courts also ordered the government to fully recognize the gender identity of transgender individuals.

African Human Rights Coalition:

As over 30 countries criminalize homosexuality in Africa, with what has been a recent trend and push to enact even harsher punitive laws to criminalize LGBTQI people, the importance of and hope emanating from these cases cannot be underestimated.  I have faith that the Botswana and kenyan Courts are perfectly capable of adjudicating in favor of Constitutionality. I have faith that these Courts will show they are independent from the political taint of Colonialism and the popular over-zealous religious propaganda that has yielded myth and lie about human sexuality.  I have faith that the Courts will rise to the challenge and rule justly in terms of fundamental principles that uphold their respective Constitutions and that the result will impact and influence the courageous LGBTQI communities in the remaining countries to start stepping forward for what may well be a new trajectory on the Continent of Africa. Melanie Nathan, Executive Director of The african Human Rights Coalition.

BY MELANIE NATHAN, mostly a mom.

My e-mail commissionermnathan@gmail.com
Support our work at African Human Rights Coalition
Check out my shenanigans on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter – @MelanieNathan1
Check out my Instagram: Commissionermelnathan