Statement by ERC Co-Chairs on the Decriminalization of Same-Sex Activity in Saint Lucia

The Equal Rights Coalition (ERC) welcomes the landmark ruling by the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court to strike down sections 132 and 133 of the Criminal Code of Saint Lucia which criminalised buggery and gross indecency, as inconsistent with rights protected under the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of Saint Lucia.

We note that this important achievement is the result of sustained advocacy and activism by LGBTQI+ civil society in Saint Lucia over several years, underscoring the crucial role of collective action and strategic litigation in advancing equal rights and freedoms for all.

With this ruling, Saint Lucia has joined the growing number of Caribbean countries that, in recent years, have successfully removed criminal penalties for same-sex acts, in line with calls for decriminalisation by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

As a Coalition of 44 Member States and over 100 civil society organisations, we hope this progress will inspire further action towards decriminalization in all remaining jurisdictions in the Caribbean and worldwide where same-sex relations are still criminalised. Decriminalisation is an important step in promoting the safety, health, and prosperity of all people.

Decriminalisation is a key priority for the Equal Rights Coalition which has a dedicated subworking group with representatives from both Member States and civil society organisations. For more information, kindly contact the ERC Secretariat via [email protected].

Statement by the Co-chairs, Colombia and Spain, on behalf of the Equal Rights Coalition

Category Statement, Saint Lucia, English, 2025