Burkina Faso passes draconian law against homosexuality!

Burkina Faso passes draconian law against homosexuality!

In a crucial shift, Burkina Faso on Monday passed new laws that punish "practices of a homosexual nature" with up to five years in prison. This development marks the first time that clear legislation against homosexual people has been introduced in the country, after homosexuality was previously socially frowned upon but never officially criminalized. The regulation was approved unanimously by the 71 unelected members of the Transitional Legislative Assembly (ALT), which has formed the country's parliament for almost three years following a military coup. The Minister of Justice, Edasso Rodrigue Bayala, confirmed that there would also be fines for those affected and that foreign citizens could even be deported. These drastic measures come at a time when the military junta under 37-year-old Captain Ibrahim Traoré is pursuing a sovereignist course and increasingly turning away from Western partners while seeking new alliances, particularly with Russia and Iran.

But what does this legislation mean for the LGBTQ+ community in Burkina Faso? This has traditionally faced strong resistance in Africa. In many countries, including Burkina Faso's neighbors Mali and Niger, homosexual relationships are heavily punished. Mali also recently passed a law criminalizing homosexuality. According to an Amnesty International report, around 31 out of 54 countries in Africa have the ability to punish same-sex sexual acts. The situation has worsened dramatically in recent years, while the human rights of LGBTQ+ people are under increasing pressure in several countries.

The legal framework and social reactions

The new bill in Burkina Faso is part of a broader reform of personal and family law, which also changes the rules for obtaining Burkinabé citizenship through marriage applications. In the future, foreigners will have to wait between five and seven years to obtain citizenship. In addition, religious and traditional marriages now receive legal recognition. The junta will have to launch an awareness campaign to publicize the new code.

In recent months, laws against the LGBTQ+ community have tightened in many African countries. Similar to Burkina Faso, other states such as Uganda have also taken drastic measures by passing laws that impose the death penalty for “serious homosexuality”. The situation in Uganda has already led to international reactions, including the suspension of new loans by the World Bank.

A worrying trend

The adoption of these new regulations follows a global trend that is leading to a decline in human rights in many African countries. While some nations, such as Europe and North America, have taken steps to decriminalize homosexuality, we are witnessing a worrying regression in many African and Asian countries. These trends are not only a threat to LGBT rights, but also have far-reaching societal implications, significantly affecting public acceptance and individual well-being in the affected countries.

The current developments in Burkina Faso show once again how important it is to stand up for the rights of all people and to fight against discrimination. Amnesty International highlights that laws are increasingly being used as tools of oppression against the LGBTQ+ community, leading to discrimination, violence and arrests. These developments must not only be followed closely, but also actively addressed in order to prevent such sad chapters in history from repeating themselves.

Given the current legal changes in Burkina Faso, it remains to be seen how the legal and social situation for homosexual people will develop - but one thing is certain: the international community must remain vigilant and monitor the situation closely.