India: Delhi high court annuls law criminalizing adult homosexual relations.
In what is considered by many to be a landmark decision on equality and non-discrimination in India, the Delhi High Court declared in July 2009 that Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalizes people who engage in "unnatural offences", violates the rights to equality, freedom from discrimination, and life and personal liberty, pursuant to the India Constitution (Constitution). The court also agreed with the petitioner in the case that the law severely impairs HIV/AIDS prevention efforts by discouraging men who have sex with men (MSM) from participating for fear of stigma, discrimination and police abuse under the guise of enforcing the Section.
Skanland
Celeste A
CA
McGill University.
D003415:Crime / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D013240:Stereotyping