LGBT rights in Somalia | |
---|---|
Status |
|
Penalty | |
Gender identity | No |
Military | No |
Discrimination protections | No |
Family rights | |
Recognition of relationships | No recognition of same-sex unions |
Adoption | No |
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Somalia face severe challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Consensual same-sex sexual activity is illegal for both men and women. [6] In areas controlled by al-Shabab, and in Jubaland, capital punishment is imposed for such sexual activity. [7] [8] In other areas, where Sharia does not apply, the civil law code specifies prison sentences of up to three years as penalty. [9] LGBT people are regularly prosecuted by the government [9] and additionally face stigmatization among the broader population. Stigmatization and criminalisation of homosexuality in Somalia occur in a legal and cultural context where 99% of the population follow Islam as their religion, [10] while the country has had an unstable government and has been subjected to a civil war for decades.
Prior to independence from the British, Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code of 1860 [11] was applied in British Somali Coast protectorate in 1899. [1] [12] In the United Kingdom itself, sodomy laws were abolished in 1967. It has since legalized homosexuality, civil partnership, and same-sex marriage. [12] The influence of Section 377 throughout former British colonies has widely come to be seen as leaving a legacy of discrimination, violence, and death, that persists in many places to this day. [13]
In 1940, Italy conquered British Somaliland and annexed it into the Italian East Africa. While Italy had been free of sodomy laws since 1890, the Fascist regime still punished homosexuals. In 1941, the British reconquered British Somaliland and re-instated their sodomy laws. [14]
In 1964, a new penal code came into force in the Somali Republic. [11] The code states that "Whoever has carnal intercourse with a person of the same sex shall be punished, where the act does not constitute a more serious crime, with imprisonment from three months to three years. Where the act committed is an act of lust different from carnal intercourse, the punishment imposed shall be reduced by one-third." [12]
Under Article 409 of the Somali Penal Code introduced by the Somali Democratic Republic in 1973, sexual intercourse with a person of the same sex is punishable by imprisonment from three months to three years. [15] An "act of lust" other than sexual intercourse is punishable by a prison term of two months to two years. Under Article 410 of the Somali Penal Code, an additional security measure may accompany sentences for homosexual acts, usually coming in the form of police surveillance to prevent "re-offending". [14] [16] [17]
The U.S. Department of State's 2010 Human Rights Report found that "sexual orientation was considered a taboo topic, and there was no public discussion of this issue in any region of the country," and that "there were no reports of societal violence or discrimination based on sexual orientation." [18] The 2022 edition similarly reported that "due to severe societal stigma that prevented LGBTQI+ individuals from making their sexual orientation or gender identity known publicly", there was little-to-no reporting of discrimination. In addition, the report stated: "There remained a pervasive social stigma against same-sex relationships, and the law does not prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity." [19]
As of 2004, one group reportedly existed for LGBT people in Somalia. [20] However lots of Somali immigrants have formed majority Somali or even solely Somali LGBT organizations in Canada. [21] The US Department of State reported in 2022 that: "There were few, very discreet, and mostly online-based LGBTQI+ organizations that held events." [19]
In territories controlled by Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen in Somalia, the terrorist organization enacts a strict interpretation of shariah which explicitly criminalises homosexual activity. The punishment for those found guilty is at a judge's discretion and may be punished by death [22] The ILGA reported in 2021 that it had information on enforcement by al-Shabaab, or other non-state armed groups, killing individuals for alleged homosexual activity: An 18-year-old man in 2013; a 15-year-old boy, together with a man aged 20 in 2017; and in 2018, another "young man". Verification of the incidents, independent from information supplied by the insurgent groups, was generally not available. The exact nature of the supposed offences was not clear in all cases. A number of human rights and LGBT activists, and those accused of "homosexuality", have been forced to flee the country for fear of execution or assassination. [7]
Family planning services are hard to access, as is fact-based information on human sexuality. Humanitarian workers have stated that Islamic social mores often make it difficult to publicly talk about how the virus can be spread. [23] Since 1999, much of the AIDS/HIV education and care has come from international organizations such as the United Nations. [23]
Despite this, Somalia and neighbouring Ethiopia has one of the lowest HIV infection rates on the continent. While the estimated HIV prevalence rate in Somalia in 1987 (the first case report year) was one percent of adults, [24] a more recent estimate from 2007 now places it at only 0.5 percent of the nation's adult population. [25]
Region/Zone and Sentinel Site | Number Tested | Number Positive | Percentage Positive |
---|---|---|---|
Somaliland | |||
Hargeisa | 499 | 8 | 1.6 |
Berbera | 350 | 8 | 2.29 |
Borama | 362 | 4 | 1.10 |
Burco | 350 | 2 | 0.57 |
Mean - Somaliland | 1561 | 22 | 1.41 |
Puntland | |||
Bosaso | 324 | 3 | 0.93 |
Garowe | 284 | 2 | 1.70 |
Mean - Puntland | 897 | 9 | 1.00 |
Galmudug | |||
Galkayo | 289 | 4 | 1.38 |
South Central | |||
Mogadishu | 1232 | 11 | 0.89 |
Merca | 350 | 0 | 0.0 |
Jowhar | 351 | 1 | 0.28 |
Hudur | 351 | 1 | 0.29 |
Mean - South Central | 2165 | 13 | 0.60 |
Mean - Overall | 4732 | 44 | 0.93 |
Same-sex sexual activity legal | Illegal. Penalties: : Capital punishment [As sharia may be applied, especially by non-state actors and by some constituent states]; [2] [3] [4] Imprisonment from 3 months to 3 years [under civil penal code] [5] |
Equal age of consent | |
Anti-discrimination laws in employment | |
Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services | |
Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech) | |
Same-sex marriage | |
Recognition of same-sex couples | |
Step-child adoption by same-sex couples | |
Joint adoption by same-sex couples | |
Gays and lesbians allowed to serve openly in the military | |
Right to change legal gender | |
Access to IVF for lesbians | |
Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples | |
MSMs allowed to donate blood |
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Mali face legal and societal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Although same-sex sexual activity is not illegal in Mali, LGBT people face widespread discrimination among the broader population. According to the 2007 Pew Global Attitudes Project, 98 percent of Malian adults believed that homosexuality is considered something society should not accept, which was the highest rate of non-acceptance in the 45 countries surveyed.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan face severe challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Afghan members of the LGBT community are forced to keep their gender identity and sexual orientation secret, in fear of violence and the death penalty. The religious nature of the country has limited any opportunity for public discussion, with any mention of homosexuality and related terms deemed taboo.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in the United Arab Emirates face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Homosexuality is illegal in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and under the federal criminal provisions, consensual same-sex sexual activity is punishable by imprisonment; extra-marital sexual activity between persons of different sexes is also illegal. In both cases, prosecution will only be brought if a husband or male guardian of one of the participants makes a criminal complaint. The penalty is a minimum of six months imprisonment; no maximum penalty is prescribed, and the court has full discretion to impose any sentence in accordance with the country's constitution.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Ethiopia face significant challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female types of same-sex sexual activity are illegal in the country, with reports of high levels of discrimination and abuses against LGBT people. Ethiopia has a long history of social conservatism and same-sex sexual activity is considered a cultural taboo.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in Angola have seen improvements in the early 21st century. In November 2020, the National Assembly approved a new penal code, which legalised consenting same-sex sexual activity. Additionally, employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation has been banned, making Angola one of the few African countries to have such protections for LGBT people.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Cape Verde are afforded some legal protections, and Cape Verde is considered a gay tolerant country. Homosexual activity has been legal in Cape Verde since 2004. Additionally, since 2008, employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation has been banned, making Cape Verde one of the few African countries to have such protections for LGBT people. Nevertheless, Cape Verde does not recognize same-sex unions or marriages, meaning that same-sex couples may still face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Households headed by same-sex couples are also not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex couples.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Eritrea face severe challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Homosexual acts are illegal in Eritrea; typically punishable by up to three years in prison. LGBT persons are reportedly prosecuted by the government and additionally face hostility amongst the broader population.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people face widespread prosecution in Uzbekistan. Same-sex sexual activity between men is illegal in Uzbekistan. The punishment is up to three years in prison. Uzbekistan is one of just two post-Soviet states in which male homosexual activity remains criminalised, along with Turkmenistan.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Turkmenistan face active discrimination and stigmatization compared to non-LGBT residents. Turkmenistan is one of the only two post-Soviet states where male homosexual activity remains criminalised, along with Uzbekistan.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Brunei face severe challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female expressions of homosexuality are illegal in Brunei. Sexual activity between men is de jure liable to capital punishment, with de facto lesser penalties of imprisonment and whipping applied; sex between women is punishable by caning or imprisonment. The sultanate applied a moratorium on the death penalty in 2019, which was still in effect as at May 2023. The moratorium could be revoked at any time.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Eswatini have limited legal rights. According to Rock of Hope, a Swati LGBT advocacy group, "there is no legislation recognising LGBTIs or protecting the right to a non-heterosexual orientation and gender identity and as a result [LGBT people] cannot be open about their orientation or gender identity for fear of rejection and discrimination". Homosexuality is illegal in Eswatini, though this law is in practice unenforced. According to the 2021 Human Rights Practices Report from the US Department of State, "there has never been an arrest or prosecution for consensual same-sex conduct."
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Zambia face significant challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Same-sex sexual activity is illegal for both men and women in Zambia. Formerly a colony of the British Empire, Zambia inherited the laws and legal system of its colonial occupiers upon independence in 1964. Laws concerning homosexuality have largely remained unchanged since then, and homosexuality is covered by sodomy laws that also proscribe bestiality. Social attitudes toward LGBT people are mostly negative and coloured by perceptions that homosexuality is immoral and a form of insanity. However, in recent years, younger generations are beginning to show positive and open minded attitudes towards their LGBT peers.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Antigua and Barbuda may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT citizens.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people are generally discriminated against in the Maldives.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in Mauritius have expanded in the 21st century, although LGBT Mauritians may still face legal difficulties not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Prior to 2023, sodomy was criminalized by Section 250 of the Criminal Code. However, Mauritius fully decriminalized homosexuality in October 2023. Although same-sex marriage is not recognized in Mauritius, LGBT people are broadly protected from discrimination in areas such as employment and the provision of goods and services, making it one of the few African countries to have such protections for LGBT people. The Constitution of Mauritius guarantees the right of individuals to a private life.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Somaliland face severe challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Somaliland has been a Muslim-majority nation with harsh societal rules. It is dangerous for LGBT people, who face up to the death penalty. Besides, extrajudicial killings, mob lynching is used as an instrument for punishing homosexuals. Somaliland does not recognize same-sex activity abroad.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Tuvalu face legal difficulties not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Sections 153, 154 and 155 of the Penal Code outlaw male homosexual intercourse with a penalty of up to 14 years in prison, but the law is not enforced. Employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation has been banned since 2017.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in South Sudan face legal and societal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Male same-sex sexual activity is illegal and carries a penalty of up to ten years' imprisonment. Active enforcement of the law is not pursued by authorities: No prosecutions are known to have occurred since South Sudan gained its independence in 2011. LGBT persons are met with abuse and discrimination from agents of the government and additionally face stigmatisation among the broader population.
Capital punishment as a criminal punishment for homosexuality has been implemented by a number of countries in their history. It currently remains a legal punishment in several countries and regions, most of which have sharia–based criminal laws except for Uganda.
Some or all sexual acts between men, and less frequently between women, have been classified as a criminal offense in various regions. Most of the time, such laws are unenforced with regard to consensual same-sex conduct, but they nevertheless contribute to police harassment, stigmatization, and violence against homosexual and bisexual people. Other effects include exacerbation of the HIV epidemic due to the criminalization of men who have sex with men, discouraging them from seeking preventative care or treatment for HIV infection.