THE Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has added its voice to those welcoming the groundbreaking decision by the High Court of Justice in Saint Lucia declaring sections 132 and 133 of the Criminal Code unconstitutional for criminalising consensual adult sexual acts in private.

In a media release on Wednesday, UNAIDS said this triumph upholds LGBTQ+ people’s rights to protection of the law, privacy, non-discrimination, freedom of expression, and equal protection under the law, as guaranteed by the constitution.

“This landmark decision underscores the transformative power of the law in protecting human rights and public health,” said Luisa Cabal, UNAIDS regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean.

“In a region where punitive laws hindered progress towards ending AIDS, Saint Lucia’s High Court has set a powerful precedent. UNAIDS stands ready to support all governments and communities in ensuring everyone can live free from discrimination and access the services they need to thrive healthily and safely,” added Cabal.

The case is one of the five country strategic litigation initiatives of the Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality (ECADE) which has been working closely with LGBTQ+ organisations, individuals and allies to protect and promote the community’s basic human rights.

The case removes outdated, colonial-era barriers that fuel stigma, discrimination and violence. The court modified the laws relating to exclude private consensual acts between adults (section 132) and those aged 16+ (section 133), paving the way for dignity and equality to be respected.

Saint Lucia now joins Belize (2016), Antigua and Barbuda (2022), St Kitts and Nevis (2022), Barbados (2022), and Dominica (2024), which decriminalised same-sex intimacy in recent years. In its media release UNAIDS this chronology reflects a surging momentum against outdated laws, fostering more inclusive, rights-based societies across the region.

“The ruling in Saint Lucia gives us hope, demonstrating that justice and equality can prevail and that our courts are advancing public health initiatives by protecting human rights,” said Richard Amenyah, UNAIDS country director for the Caribbean.

“By removing these outdated criminal provisions, we open doors for LGBTQ+ individuals to seek HIV prevention and care without fear, ultimately strengthening our regional fight against HIV and saving lives,” added Amenyah.

UNAIDS said it champions this move as a key stride toward zero discrimination and ending AIDS by 2030.

“By erasing these discriminatory provisions, the ruling removes an obstacle to HIV prevention, testing, and treatment, vital in a region where gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men and transgender women have disproportionately high rates of HIV and often are kept away from health services for fear of stigma, discrimination and criminalisation.

“UNAIDS urges remaining countries where these discriminatory laws remain on the books to repeal such laws and prioritise rights-based HIV strategies for healthier futures and more equitable societies,” the release said.

On Tuesday Trinidad-based Caribbean Forum for Liberation and Acceptance of Genders and Sexualities (CariFLAGS) also welcomed the ruling.

CariFLAGS said it was encouraged by the ruling, and stands with its affiliates, the Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality (ECADE) and United and Strong, “in welcoming this historic ruling”.

CariFLAGS, which describes itself as a regional non-profit organisation made up of leading LGBTI non-governmental organisations across the Caribbean, said: “This sends a strong statement that these colonial-era laws are incompatible with Human Dignity and modern democratic principles.”