Burkina Faso Bans Homosexuality with Prison Sentences of Up to 5 Years  

Burkina Faso's military government has taken a firm stance on homosexuality, passing a law that criminalizes same-sex relations with prison sentences ranging from two to five years. The legislation, unanimously approved by 71 unelected government members, also imposes fines on offenders and mandates deportation for foreign nationals convicted under the law. This move is part of broader family and citizenship reforms aimed at promoting traditional values.

This development is part of Burkina Faso's broader reform of family and citizenship legislation. 

The country joins over half of African nations that penalize homosexuality with prison sentences or the death penalty. Neighboring Mali also adopted laws criminalizing homosexuality in November 2024. The move has sparked concerns among human rights activists, who are likely to challenge the restrictions imposed by the new legislation.

The military government in Burkina Faso has faced accusations of human rights abuses, including large-scale arrests and military conscription of critics. The new law is likely to exacerbate these concerns, with rights activists expected to challenge the restrictions and limits imposed on legal recourse in nationality cases.

Source – BBC News