NEW DELHI, Dec 10 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – As countries around the world move to dismantle often centuries-old laws banning gay sex, Bhutan has become the latest nation to take steps to ease restrictions on same-sex relationships. The tiny Himalayan kingdom cleared an amendment bill repealing two sections of the penal code that criminalised “unnatural sex” – widely interpreted as gay sex. Same-sex sexual relations are still outlawed in 68 countries, with the death penalty in place in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Nigeria and Somalia. Another 27 nations impose maximum penalties for gay sex of between 10 years and life imprisonment. The United Nations has called on nations to throw out anti-LGBT+ laws, saying they legitimise discrimination against LGBT+ people and expose them to hate crimes, police abuse, torture and family violence.