Niger Criminalises Same-Sex Relations with Jail Terms
The penal code sets 5-10 years for same-sex relations and 10-20 years for same-sex marriage as Niger joins a regional crackdown.
- Military-Run Niger has enacted a new penal code criminalizing same-sex relations, imposing jail terms of five to 10 years plus fines. While heavily stigmatized, such relations were not previously a criminal offense in Muslim-majority Niger.
- Reform efforts began under former civilian president Mohamed Bazoum following pressure from Muslim groups. General Abdourahamane Tiani's military government has since advanced the anti-Western agenda initiated by Bazoum.
- The code dictates 10 to 20 years' imprisonment for anyone who "enters into marriage with a person of the same sex." Similar penalties apply to those operating groups for "homosexuals or LGBTQIA+ people" or attempting to "artificially change their birth sex."
- Justice Minister Alio Daouda stated Niger acted "in full responsibility and sovereignty" because practices do not "conform to its social and cultural values." Authorities have recently launched a "large-scale crackdown" on the community.
- Niger's move follows a regional trend of adopting tough anti-LGBTQ legislation; Burkina Faso recently instituted five-year sentences, Ghana announced three-year terms, and Senegal last month doubled its maximum penalty.
11 Articles
11 Articles
The country is following a regional trend towards toughening legislation against LGBTQ+ people.
Niger has promulgated a new criminal code that for the first time criminalizes homosexuality, with heavy prison sentences at the key, like several West African countries – Burkina Faso, Senegal, Ghana – that have recently tightened their legislation against LGBTQ+ people.
The junta led by Abdourahamane Tiani has promulgated a new criminal code that severely criminalizes homosexuality, as well as "intersex" and "asexual" practices.
Niger has promulgated a new criminal code that criminalizes homosexuality for the first time, with heavy sentences of up to 20 years in prison. The new law also criminalizes "intersex practices" and "asexual practices".
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