The parliament in Burkina Faso passed a law prohibiting “homosexual practices,” sparking widespread condemnation on Tuesday.
Those that transgress the law will face up to five years in prison, with the minimum foreseen penalty being two years behind bars along with financial penalties.
Repeat offenders without local citizenship will be expelled from the country.
The new legislation comes into effect immediately, with individuals in same-sex relationships risking prison sentences as well as fines, Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala said on state television.
He described homosexuality as “bizarre behavior.” Officials touted the new law as a recognition of “marriage and family values.”
The Persons and Family Code law also tightens regulations on nationality and stateless people.
The West African country is home to around 23 million people and has been governed by a military junta since 2022.
What has the reaction been?
Rights group Amnesty International on Tuesday said the criminalization of same-sex relations was an “alarming setback.” urging junta chief Captain Ibrahim Traore to reverse the decison.
According to Human Rights Watch, same-sex relationships are illegal in around 30 of Africa’s 54 countries.
The unelected Burkinabe parliament on Monday unanimously adopted a draft family code making gay relationships punishable by up to five years in jail, making the west African nation the latest on the continent to pass anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
“This does nothing but create discrimination and violates the right to equality before the law,” the human rights watchdog said, urging Traore to “refer the Code back to the Transitional Legislative Assembly for a revision.”
How is homosexuality perceived in other African countries?
LGBTQ+ rights — an umbrella term referring to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning people — are disregarded in many African countries.
Mali, an ally of Burkina Faso also ruled by a military junta, adopted a law criminalizing same-sex relationships in November.
Ghana and Uganda have also toughened their anti-LGBTQ+ laws.
Homosexual relationships are outlawed in around one-third of the world’s nations.
Edited by: Jenipher Camino Gonzalez
