Japanese higher court rules in favor of marriage equality
The ruling adds pressure on the Japanese parliament to legalize same-sex marriages. Japan remains the only country in the G7 that has not legalized marriage equality.
Courts
Landmark Nepal court ruling ends impunity for wealthy wildlife collectors
The ruling caps a legal campaign to hold to account wealthy Nepalis who openly display wildlife parts and trophies, even as members of local communities are persecuted for poaching.
Namibia’s highest court recognizes same-sex marriages performed in other countries
In a historic ruling, the Supreme Court of Namibia has ruled that the government is required to recognize same-sex marriages performed legally in other nations between citizens and foreign nationals.
Sri Lankan Supreme Court clears path to decriminalize homosexuality
Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court has given the green light to a bill seeking to decriminalize homosexuality in a move hailed as a “historic development” by campaigners.
Ecuador court upholds ‘rights of nature,’ blocks Intag Valley copper mine
A provincial court recognized that the mining companies violated the communities’ constitutional right to consultation and the rights of nature guaranteed by Ecuador’s Constitution since 2008.
South Korea court recognizes same-sex couple rights for first time
In a landmark ruling, the Seoul High Court found a government health insurer did owe coverage to the spouse of a customer after the firm withdrew it when it found out the pair were gay.
South Korean supreme court rules transgender parents can change legal gender
A lower court had previously ruled that a woman, who was born a biological man, could not change her legal gender due to the fact that she had had a child who was still a minor when she had been a man.
India’s top court legalizes abortion regardless of marital status
A law dating from 1971 had limited the procedure to married women, divorcees, widows, minors, “disabled and mentally ill women” and survivors of sexual assault or rape.
The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court strikes down ban on buggery
The Offenses Against the Person Act, imported from England, criminalized “unnatural offenses” and carried a maximum penalty of 10 years with hard labor.
Brazil’s High Court first to declare Paris Agreement a human rights treaty
As a result of the ruling, if Brazil’s Congress passes a law that conflicts with the Paris Agreement, the Paris Agreement should take precedence.