Eswatini Supreme Court rules government must allow advocacy group to register
The Eswatini Supreme Court on June 16 ruled the government must allow an LGBTQ and intersex rights organization to legally register.
The Registrar of Companies in 2019 denied Eswatini Sexual and Gender Minorities’s request on grounds it advocates for LGBTQ and intersex rights that are illegal.
Eswatini Sexual and Gender Minorities in 2020 petitioned the Supreme Court to hear their case. Eswatini Sexual and Gender Minorities in 2022 appealed a ruling that dismissed it. “Once again, the judiciary has reminded the executive branch of government and its functionaries of the importance of Section 33 of the Constitution,” said Melusi Simelane, who filed the case on behalf of Eswatini Sexual and Gender Minorities, in a statement. “This is a monumental judgement and a constant reminder to the executive to exercise its powers with restraint and pay close attention to the rights and liberties of every citizen.
We now hope the minister will make a decision that will be remembered in history as protecting the rights of the marginalized LGBTIQ+ citizens of Eswatini without prejudice.” The ruling directs the government to respond to the group’s request within 60 days.
