What the court removed
The judiciary said the provisions struck down concerned premises, reporting alleged same-sex acts to police and sexual conduct resulting in terminal illness. Most of the law remained in place. Human Rights Watch highlighted that it continued to allow severe penalties, including the death penalty in specified circumstances. [1]
Activists demand repeal
Human Rights Watch researcher Larissa Kojoué warned that the remaining provisions would worsen stigma and expose communities to violence. Amnesty International’s Tigere Chagutah called for repeal of the entire law and accountability for attacks. The organisations also raised concerns about the broad offence of promoting homosexuality and its effect on human-rights work.
Access to health services
UNAIDS regional director Anne Githuku-Shongwe said criminalisation obstructed life-saving health and HIV services. She called for “equal access to health services without fear”. UNAIDS had contributed an expert brief to the proceedings, bringing the implications for public health into the court’s consideration. [1]