Namibia high court overturns law banning gay sex

Victory for LGBTQ+ campaigners who say ban contributes to discrimination and violence by police

Namibia's high court has overturned a law that criminalised gay sex in a victory for LGBTQ+ campaigners after a number of setbacks in the battle for rights in African countries in recent years.

Namibia inherited a law banning sodomy" and unnatural offences" when it gained independence from South Africa in 1990. While the ban was rarely enforced, activists said it contributed to discrimination against LGBTQ+ people, including violence by the police.