Burkina Faso’s ruling military junta has passed a law criminalising homosexuality and making it punishable with up to five years in prison.

Ouagadougou

Burkina Faso's transitional parliament, led by the country's military junta, has passed a law criminalising homosexuality, making it punishable by up to five years in prison. Foreign nationals convicted under the law face deportation. The legislation, which targets what authorities describe as 'perpetrators of homosexual practices,' was unanimously approved by the 71 unelected members of parliament as part of wider reforms to family and citizenship laws.

This move aligns Burkina Faso with around 30 other African countries where homosexuality is banned. Neighbouring Mali, also under military rule, enacted similar legislation previously. The development comes amid a broader regional trend of tightening anti-LGBTQ+ laws, with countries like Uganda and Ghana also increasing penalties for same-sex relations.

Burkina Faso passes law criminalising homosexuality

Burkina Faso's ruling military junta has passed a law criminalising homosexuality and making it punishable with up to five years in prison. Foreigners convicted under the new law will be deported. The bill, directed at what it called perpetrators of homosexual practices, was passed unanimously by the transitional parliament's 71 unelected members. It's part of broader reforms regarding family and citizenship legislation. Homosexuality is banned in about 30 other African nations. Burkina Faso's neighbour and close ally Mali, which is also ruled by a military junta, passed a similar law in November. There's been growing opposition to LGBTQ plus rights in Uganda and Ghana, both of which have tightened anti-gay legislation in recent years. In Uganda, so-called aggravated homosexuality can be punishable by death, while engaging in same-sex relations can carry a life sentence. Since taking power in a 2022 coup, Burkina Faso's military leaders have launched sweeping reforms, including postponing elections that were expected to restore civilian rule.

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