BAKDEP – In a series of a progressive reforms that is happening the country, the Supreme Court made a landmark ruling declaring the pro-LGBT group Queerhong legal. In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court said that under Article 10 of the Constitution, citizens of Kuehong have the freedom of assembly and the freedom to form groups or societies advocating a movement.

This ruling is seen as a major win for the LGBT community in Kuehong, which was forced to conduct their activities in secret. Kuehong still criminalises LGBT in the country, although no one has been prosecuted under the law since the last case in 2003.

Nevertheless, the court said that any new society or group will be ‘closely monitored’ by relevant government agencies, ensuring that its activities do not contravene Article 26 of the Constitution. As much as the group is allowed to conduct their activities openly, they must not ‘disrupt the law and order in the Federal Republic of Kuehong’.

The General Secretary for Queerhong, Biện Quốc Khánh, has said this is a cause for celebration, but said there is a long road ahead to secure LGBT rights in Kuehong. Speaking from his residence in Gobrassanya, he hoped that the group will be allowed over time to organise more activities to bring more awareness to the movement, without hindrance by ‘homophobic and xenophobic elements’ in the country.

The landmark ruling has also seen cheers and salutations erupting in the streets and from windows in the Kuehongese quarter of Kattenden’s International District following the landmark ruling. The Dunkish Ministry for Foreign Affairs released the following statement that they “are pleased to hear that the government of Kuehong has decided to allow its people to speak a bit more freely.”

However, they “find it rather odd that the Kuehong Court seems concerned about the activities of the Queerhong group in the context of Article 26 of their Constitution”. It also hopes that the landmark ruling “will help our two nations to reconcile some of our greatest cultural differences.” Other nations, such as Litvania, Iscu and Allendea, has also congratulated Kuehogn for the recent ruling.

Nevertheless, the ruling has drawn sharp criticism from traditional allies of Kuehong. The Demirhan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed ‘deep concerns’ over the ruling and over the landmark legislation regardign abortion rights just a few days before.