The West African nation of Burkina Faso has officially banned homosexuality. Those who are found guilty can face anywhere from two to five years in prison. The law was unanimously passed by 71 unelected members of the country’s transitional government, which has been in place since the military seized power under the leadership of the now President Ibrahim Traore according to Al Jazeera.
Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala, announced on national broadcaster RTB that those found guilty would face fines on top of the prison time, and foreign nationals found guilty will be deported. “If a person is a perpetrator of homosexual or similar practices, all the bizarre behavior, they will go before the judge,” he said. Al Jazeera reports the law will be part of the nation’s wider reforms focusing on family and citizenship.
The country has no protections for LGBTQ+ people, and has been increasingly harsh on the LGBTQ+ community in recent years. Human Rights Watch reports, the country currently faces a “crackdown by the military junta on political opposition, media, and peaceful dissent.”
The country gained independence from France in 1960, but did not inherit anti-LGBTQ+ laws like many of other former colonies in Africa did. A majority of the country’s population practices Islam, with a smaller portion practicing Chrisitianity, and less than 10% of people not following any faith, according to BBC.
Up until now, Burkina Faso had no laws surrounding LGBTQ+ rights. The law will become effective immediately.
