Burkina Faso’s transitional parliament passed laws banning conduct that promotes LGBTQ practices, imposing fines, prison sentences, and sanctions on those convicted, according to the justice minister.
Burkina Faso has become the latest African country to criminalise homosexual, gay, bisexual, and transgender activities under the Persons and Family Code law, which also tightens laws on nationality and statelessness.
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On Monday, the unelected, 71-member transitional parliament passed the legislation overwhelmingly, and it is now awaiting military junta head Ibrahim Traore‘s signature.
Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala on state television on Monday night said, “The law provides for a prison sentence ranging from two to five years and a fine.”
“A person who (engages in) homosexual practices … will appear before a judge and, in the event of a repeat offence, be deported if you are not a Burkinabe national,” he added.
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The government has presented the law as an effort to reform family law and clarify nationality laws, but rights advocates are sure to criticise the restrictions on LGBTQ practices and the limitations on legal remedies in nationality issues.
Several conservative African countries, including Senegal, Uganda, and Malawi, have anti-gay laws in place, while others, such as South Africa, Botswana, and Angola, have decriminalised LGBTQ acts or implemented protective measures.
