A decision by the Supreme Court to reinstate a ban on homosexual sex represents a "significant step backwards for India" and violates international law, United Nations human rights chief Navi Pillay said on Thursday, suggesting the case be reheard.
In a major blow to homosexual rights in the world's largest democracy, the Supreme Court on Wednesday threw out a 2009 ruling by a lower court that had decriminalised homosexual sex.
"Criminalising private, consensual same-sex sexual conduct violates the rights to privacy and to non-discrimination enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which India has ratified," Pillay said in a statement issued in Geneva.
"The Supreme Court decision in this case represents a significant step backwards for India and a blow for human rights."
The top court stated that only India's government could change the law, deeming the Delhi High Court had overstepped its powers with the decision four years ago.
