Inter-American Commission on Human Rights issues statement commending Sexual Offences Act ruling

In a statement citing that laws which criminalize private consensual same-sex relations are in violation of international human rights standards, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), an autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS, has expressed its approval of the recent ruling by the Dominica High Court regarding its Sexual Offences Act.

This ruling, passed down on Monday, April 22, 2024, deemed section 14 of the Act, prohibiting ‘gross indecency’ punishable by 12 years imprisonment, and section 16 prohibiting ‘buggery’ punishable by 10 years imprisonment and/or committal to a psychiatric hospital for treatment, as unconstitutional, null, and void.

The ruling effectively decriminalizes, and recognizes the right of same-sex adults to have consenting sexual activities in privacy.

Calling on the remaining states within the region who have not repealed these laws to follow suit, the IACHR asserts that they have far-reaching implications for the society as they infringe upon human dignity, privacy, and freedom of expression.

“They constitute barriers for persons with non-normative sexual orientations and gender identities to access other rights, such as freedom of association, freedom of expression, health, employment, access to justice, among others.”

Read the full statement here.

 

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2 Comments

  1. hold up
    May 9, 2024

    “… and section 16 prohibiting ‘buggery’ punishable by 10 years imprisonment and/or committal to a psychiatric hospital for treatment, as unconstitutional, null, and void.”

    But wait didn’t Blackmore say that ‘buggery’ is still a serious offense? https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/buggery-is-still-a-very-serious-offense-rayburn-blackmoore/

    As usual this country is operating under pure confusion

  2. Waiting For Airport
    May 9, 2024

    DNO – Astra zeneca finally admit the truth about the vaxx that we the conspiracy theorists was telling all since how long – the vaccine killing people. Why you platform quiet about it? Tell the people the truth now! All them people that die and we tell all you is the vaccine, look now they finally admit is true. Skerrit and all them PMs accross the caribbean need to be on trial for mass murder after making people take that bioweapon.

    Nobody doh care about that bougar stupidness all you posting, tell us about the asta zeneca update!!!

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