Belize: Supreme Court Overturns anti-Homosexuality Law

Washington

In response to the Supreme Court of Belize finding the country’s colonial-era sodomy law unconstitutional, Freedom House released the following statement:

"The ruling by Belize's Supreme Court overturning the sodomy law that made homosexuality illegal in the country marks a step forward for LGBTI human rights in the region," said Mark P. Lagon, president. "The anti-sodomy law, and others like it, are clear violations of fundamental dignity and rights, discriminating against sexual orientation or gender identity."
 
Background:
Caleb Orozco v. the Attorney General of Belize was brought before the Supreme Court in 2010 to challenge Section 53, a statute that imposed a 10-year prison term for “carnal intercourse against the order of nature.” The court issued its ruling August 10, 2016.

Belize is rated Free in Freedom in the World 2016,  and Free in Freedom of the Press 2016.