Gay rights group challenges ban

An LGBTI rights group in Swaziland (eSwatini) is challenging a High Court ruling banning it in the kingdom. In September 2019, eSwatini's Registrar of Companies refused to register the organisation eSwatini Sexual and Gender Minorities (ESGM). Swazi Media Commentary reports that the Registrar argued that ESGM's purpose was unlawful because same-sex sexual acts were illegal in the kingdom. ESGM and its members filed an application to contest these claims. They argued that the Registrar's refusal violated ESGM members' rights to dignity, to associate and express themselves freely, to be treated equally and not to be discriminated against. Siboniso Nkambule, an official in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, previously told the court ‘that every other sexual action other than what is in the order of nature, capable of producing offsprings is unnatural and, therefore, prohibited in terms of our laws’. ESGM is represented by human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko and supported by the SA Litigation Centre.

A report on the ETN site notes that LGBTI people in eSwatini regularly face discrimination and harassment. As a result, most choose to hide their sexuality or move to SA where tolerance levels are higher. Additionally, LGBTI people face a very high rate of HIV/AIDS infections in the kingdom. eSwatini has the highest prevalence of HIV in the world, with an estimated 27% of the population infected. Nevertheless, the first pride parade was held in Mbabane in June 2018.