Burkina Faso Criminalises Homosexuality, Introduces Jail Terms and Fines
Burkina Faso’s transitional parliament has passed a law criminalising homosexuality, marking a significant shift in the country’s legal stance on LGBT rights. The legislation, approved on Monday and awaiting final assent from military leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré, introduces prison sentences of two to five years and monetary fines for same-sex acts. Foreign nationals found guilty will also face deportation, according to Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala, who outlined the law on state media. Until now, Burkina Faso had been among the few African countries where same-sex relationships were not criminalised. Unlike many former British colonies, it did not inherit anti-homosexuality laws after independence from France in 1960. However, the nation remains deeply religious and socially conservative, with less than 10% of the population identifying as non-religious. The move aligns Burkina Faso with a growing number of West African states enacting […]