Seychelles' parliament has approved legislation to decriminalise gay sex, the state-owned news agency reports.
The move came after President James Michel said in his state of the nation address in February that he wanted to abolish the law, inherited from the colonial era, which criminalised homosexual acts.
Church leaders in the mainly Catholic country opposed him, arguing that homosexuality was against their religious beliefs.
However, MPs who voted for the legislation said the constitution promoted equality, and people could not be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation.
"Out of 28 members present for the vote, 14 voted in favour while the other half abstained," the state-owned media added.
The move came after President James Michel said in his state of the nation address in February that he wanted to abolish the law, inherited from the colonial era, which criminalised homosexual acts.
Church leaders in the mainly Catholic country opposed him, arguing that homosexuality was against their religious beliefs.
However, MPs who voted for the legislation said the constitution promoted equality, and people could not be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation.
"Out of 28 members present for the vote, 14 voted in favour while the other half abstained," the state-owned media added.
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