New Delhi, Nov. 11 -- The ruling ended a nearly 10-year battle for gay rights in the twin-island nation and cannot be appealed.

"Those laws cannot be regarded as reasonably justifiable in a society that has a proper respect for the rights and freedom of the individual," said Judge Philip James Sales of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

In February 2017, Jason Jones filed the case, arguing that so-called "buggery" laws dating from when Trinidad and Tobago was a British colony are unconstitutional. The laws that call for up to five years in prison have not been enforced in recent history, but critics say they still send a message.

In an interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday, Jones said he was celebrating what he calle...