Current Version
| Region | Namibia |
| Issue | Same-sex marriage |
| Status | Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only |
| Start Date | May 16, 2023 |
| End Date | (none) |
| Description | In 2023, Namibia’s top court ruled that Namibia must recognize same-sex marriages performed in other countries. On December 30th, 2024, the Marriage Act (2024) was assented to. The bill includes a ban on same-sex marriage. It has not come into effect though, because the Minister of Justice has not set a date on which it will come into force. |
| Sources | https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/namibias-top-court-recognises-same-sex-marriages-formed-elsewhere-2023-05-16/ https://namiblii.org/akn/na/act/2024/14/eng@2024-12-30 |
Revision History (7)
edited by Unknownmiles. Fixing grammar.
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0 | Old Value | New Value (Current) | |
|---|---|---|
| Description | In 2023, Namibia’s top court ruled that Namibia must recognize same-sex marriages performed in other countries. In December 30th, 2024, the Marriage Act (2024) was assented to. The bill includes a ban on same-sex marriage. It has not come into effect though, because the Minister of Justice has not set a date on which it will come into force. | In 2023, Namibia’s top court ruled that Namibia must recognize same-sex marriages performed in other countries. On December 30th, 2024, the Marriage Act (2024) was assented to. The bill includes a ban on same-sex marriage. It has not come into effect though, because the Minister of Justice has not set a date on which it will come into force. |
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edited by Unknownmiles. Adding more info and removing federal law
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| Description | On May 16th, 2023, Namibia’s top court ruled in favor of recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other countries. | In 2023, Namibia’s top court ruled that Namibia must recognize same-sex marriages performed in other countries. In December 30th, 2024, the Marriage Act (2024) was assented to. The bill includes a ban on same-sex marriage. It has not come into effect though, because the Minister of Justice has not set a date on which it will come into force. |
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| Federal Law | Yes | No |
| Sources | https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/namibias-top-court-recognises-same-sex-marriages-formed-elsewhere-2023-05-16/ | https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/namibias-top-court-recognises-same-sex-marriages-formed-elsewhere-2023-05-16/ https://namiblii.org/akn/na/act/2024/14/eng@2024-12-30 |
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edited by Unknownmiles. Fixing grammar and setting as federal law
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0 | Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Description | On May 16th, 2023, Namibia’s top court ruled to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other countries. | On May 16th, 2023, Namibia’s top court ruled in favor of recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other countries. |
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| Federal Law | No | Yes |
edited by Unknownmiles. Updating the description and changing link and also adding a date
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0 | Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Start Date | (unknown) | May 16, 2023 |
| Description | Namibian state does not perform same-sex marriage, however in numerous cases foreign same sex marriages have been recognized and parental rights have even been granted to gay couples looking to adopt. | On May 16th, 2023, Namibia’s top court ruled to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other countries. |
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| Sources | http://lib.ohchr.org/HRBodies/UPR/Documents/Session10/NA/JS1_JointSubmission-eng.pdf http://old.ilga.org/Statehomophobia/ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2013.pdf https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/19/africa-gay-marriage-namibia-any-questions | https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/namibias-top-court-recognises-same-sex-marriages-formed-elsewhere-2023-05-16/ |
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| Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | (REMOVED) | Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only |
| Special Status | Ambiguous | Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only |
Reports (1)
- Status is not correct "Currently legal challenges to state's refusal to acknowledge same sex married couples. https://www.news24.com/news24/africa/news/second-class-citizens-namibia-rules-against-gay-couples-20220120"
edited by DuffdeNecker
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0 | Old Value (Original) | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | Banned | (REMOVED) |
| Special Status | Banned | Ambiguous |
| Description | As homosexuality is illegal, same sex union is also illegal | Namibian state does not perform same-sex marriage, however in numerous cases foreign same sex marriages have been recognized and parental rights have even been granted to gay couples looking to adopt. |
Show Difference | ||
| Sources | http://lib.ohchr.org/HRBodies/UPR/Documents/Session10/NA/JS1_JointSubmission-eng.pdf http://old.ilga.org/Statehomophobia/ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2013.pdf | http://lib.ohchr.org/HRBodies/UPR/Documents/Session10/NA/JS1_JointSubmission-eng.pdf http://old.ilga.org/Statehomophobia/ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2013.pdf https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/19/africa-gay-marriage-namibia-any-questions |
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| Original entry | |
|---|---|
| Status | Banned |
| Start Date | (unknown) |
| End Date | (none) |
| Description | As homosexuality is illegal, same sex union is also illegal |
| Sources | http://lib.ohchr.org/HRBodies/UPR/Documents/Session10/NA/JS1_JointSubmission-eng.pdf http://old.ilga.org/Statehomophobia/ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2013.pdf |
Reports (1)
- Status is not correct "Homosexuality is not illegal in Namibia. "