Burkina Faso has taken a significant step in tightening its laws against homosexuality.
The country’s transitional parliament unanimously adopted a draft law banning same-sex relations, with 71 members voting in favor. According to Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala, “The law provides for a prison sentence of between two and five years as well as fines.”
Bayala emphasized the implications of this law, stating, “If a person is a perpetrator of homosexual or similar practices, all the bizarre behavior, they will go before the judge.” Furthermore, foreign nationals found guilty under this law will face deportation.
This move aligns Burkina Faso with other African nations that have implemented strict anti-LGBTQ+ laws. Countries like Uganda and Ghana have faced international criticism for their stance on this issue. Mali, another West African nation, also recently adopted a law criminalizing homosexuality ¹.
The law is part of a broader reform of family and citizenship legislation in Burkina Faso and will be promoted through an awareness campaign. This development marks a significant shift in the country’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights, where same-sex relations were previously legal but not recognized as marriage ².
LGBTQ+ rights groups have expressed concerns that such laws could fuel discrimination and violence against the LGBTQ+ community. As Burkina Faso moves forward with implementing this law, its impact on the country’s human rights landscape will be closely watched.