The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in a landmark decision said Jamaica must repeal its colonial-era sodomy law that criminalizes consensual same-sex sexual relations.
Human Dignity Trust, a London-based human rights organization, in 2011 filed the case with the commission on behalf of Gareth Henry, a gay man, and Simone Carline Edwards, a lesbian woman.
J-FLAG, a Jamaican LGBTQ advocacy group, was also named as a plaintiff. The commission reached its decision on Sept. 28, 2019, but did not release it until Feb.
17. “The criminalization of private sexual consensual activity between adults violates the principle of equality and nondiscrimination, the right to privacy, and the right to humane treatment,” reads the decision.