Mauritius Supreme Court Legalizes Homosexuality
In a groundbreaking ruling, the Supreme Court of Mauritius declared the national prohibition of intimate relations between same-sex individuals as “discriminatory” and “unconstitutional”. This decision represents a significant victory for Abdool Ridwan Firaas Ah Seek, president of the local LGBT+ organization, Collectif Arc-en-Ciel, and others who have fought against the constitutionality of Section 250 of the Mauritian Penal Code. The outdated provision, a remnant of the colonial era, criminalized consensual relations between adults of the same sex. The Supreme Court’s judgement is seen as an affirmation of Mauritius as a secular and democratic state where the government has no justification to intervene in the private lives of LGBT+ individuals. This monumental decision, hailed not only in Mauritius but globally, signifies a step forward towards universal respect, equality, and recognition of the rights of every individual, regardless of their sexual orientation. Read full article