A decision issued by India’s Supreme Court to uphold a colonial-era law criminalizing same-sex relationships has been described as a “step backwards for India”.

That’s according to a statement issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, on Thursday.

The Indian Supreme Court ruling struck down a 2009 decision by the Delhi High Courts that de-criminalized homosexual acts.

Cécile Pouilly, the Spokesperson for the High Commissioner explained to UN Radio’s Alpha Diallo why this decision was a “blow to human rights”.

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