On of the pearls in Africa, the island state of Seychelles, is on the right way 
I just love it what foreign minister Joel Morgan said: “A sin is not determined by the government but by religion. Each individual needs to follow his or her conscience on the issue.”
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The Parliament of Seychelles has passed an amendment to the penal code decriminalising homosexuality.
After years of debate in the African island state, the government followed through on a commitment it made in 2011 to the United Nations Human Rights Council to legalise same-sex sexual activity.
14 of the 28 National Assembly members present voted in favour of the change to law, while the other half abstained from voting, and four members were absent.
Seychelles Foreign Affairs Minister Joel Morgan addressed critics of the change, saying: “A sin is not determined by the government but by religion. Each individual needs to follow his or her conscience on the issue.”
Male homosexuality had been criminalised under the Seychelles Penal Code since 1955, with punishment of up to 14 years in prison if convicted, although the law was rarely enforced.
Ty Cobb, Director of Human Rights Campaign Global, said: “This victory gives hope and encouragement to activists around the world.
“We congratulate the LGBTQ community in Seychelles on their watershed accomplishment, and for joining a host of other nations, including the U.S., that have banished LGBT criminalisation laws to the dustbin of history.”
Ronny Arnephy, Vice-Chair of LGBTI-Sey, told HRC: “I am over the moon that we have finally won this long struggle. Now that the bill has passed, it paves the way for same-sex marriage and adoption.
“Our actions won’t stop here, and we will keep moving forward until we have full equality for Seychelles’ LGBTI community."
I just love it what foreign minister Joel Morgan said: “A sin is not determined by the government but by religion. Each individual needs to follow his or her conscience on the issue.”full text:
The Parliament of Seychelles has passed an amendment to the penal code decriminalising homosexuality.
After years of debate in the African island state, the government followed through on a commitment it made in 2011 to the United Nations Human Rights Council to legalise same-sex sexual activity.
14 of the 28 National Assembly members present voted in favour of the change to law, while the other half abstained from voting, and four members were absent.
Seychelles Foreign Affairs Minister Joel Morgan addressed critics of the change, saying: “A sin is not determined by the government but by religion. Each individual needs to follow his or her conscience on the issue.”
Male homosexuality had been criminalised under the Seychelles Penal Code since 1955, with punishment of up to 14 years in prison if convicted, although the law was rarely enforced.
Ty Cobb, Director of Human Rights Campaign Global, said: “This victory gives hope and encouragement to activists around the world.
“We congratulate the LGBTQ community in Seychelles on their watershed accomplishment, and for joining a host of other nations, including the U.S., that have banished LGBT criminalisation laws to the dustbin of history.”
Ronny Arnephy, Vice-Chair of LGBTI-Sey, told HRC: “I am over the moon that we have finally won this long struggle. Now that the bill has passed, it paves the way for same-sex marriage and adoption.
“Our actions won’t stop here, and we will keep moving forward until we have full equality for Seychelles’ LGBTI community."
