Jamaica Rejects Calls to Repeal Buggery Law, Legalise Same-Sex Marriages

In a statement to the Senate yesterday Minister of Justice, Senator Mark Golding said the Jamaican government rejected suggestions from United Nations member states to repeal current buggery legislations and legalise same-sex marriages.

While addressing the United Nation’s recent periodic review of Jamaica’s human rights record, Senator Golding stated there were “recurring recommendations made by some member states that did not enjoy Jamaica’s support”.

According to the senator there have been numerous calls by some UN member states for Jamaica to repeal the buggery law as it is deemed as discriminatory to the Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, and Transgender (LGBT) Persons.

He also stated that member states continue to request the legalisation of same sex marriage.

“I assured the Council that the Constitution of Jamaica guarantees basic human rights to all Jamaicans, and indicated further that, in order to create greater understanding of the concerns of the LGBT community, several initiatives have been put in place,” Golding said.

“I informed the Council that the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Diversity Policy aims to eliminate all forms of discrimination and inequitable treatment toward members of the public, and guides members of the police force in their professional dealings with persons of particular groups, including LGBT people,” he added.

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Source: Jamaica Observer

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