High Court of Namibia Rules Against Recognizing Same Sex Marriage [1]
On January 24, 2022, The High Court of Namibia ruled [3] against recognizing same sex marriage for two same sex couples who filed a consolidated application for declaratory relief and constitutional recognition of their same sex marriages in Namibia. In the 62-page decision, the Court held that precedent from the Supreme Court decision in Chairperson of the Immigration Selection Board v. Frank, which held that same-sex relationships are not legal in Namibia, “must be followed by the High Court, even if that decision is wrong.” Despite this holding, The High Court further held that the interpretation by the Supreme Court “was narrow, outdated and couched in tabulated legalism” and “homosexual relationships are without doubt, globally recognised, and increasingly more countries have changed their laws to recognise one’s right not to be discriminated against on the basis of one’s sexual orientation.”