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St Lucia’s High Court has struck down colonial-era laws criminalising buggery and gross indecency, declaring them unconstitutional and incompatible with modern democratic values.
In a ruling delivered by Justice Francis H. Innocent, the court found that Sections 132 and 133 of the Criminal Code violated rights protected under St Lucia’s Constitution, including privacy, liberty, security of the person, freedom of expression, and protection from discrimination—interpreted to include sexual orientation.
The Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality (ECADE), which led the regional legal challenge, described the decision as historic. Executive Director Kenita Placide said the ruling was “deeply personal” and a long-overdue affirmation of the humanity and rights of LGBTQ+ St Lucians.
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