"AHRC expresses grave concern over this conviction, particularly given the sweeping and vague language of the new law, its application against a vulnerable foreign national, and the penal severity including post-sentence expulsion," the organization said in a statement. "This represents the first known enforcement of the 2025 criminalization statute and marks a significant escalation in the legal persecution of LGBTQI+ people in Burkina Faso."
"An individual identified as K.M. was charged with sentenced to 24 months' imprisonment, a fine of 2,000,000 CFA francs (approximately $3,581), and ordered expelled from the country following completion of the sentence, the African Human Rights Coalition has confirmed. The official charges were "homosexuality and related practices.""
"Burkina Faso's military junta voted in September to ban consensual same-sex sexual relations, with the bill earning the support of 71 unelected members of the junta parliament, as well as President Ibrahim Traoré, a former army captain who seized power after two coups in 2022. The law levies punishment of up to five years in prison and significant fines."
Burkina Faso secured its first known conviction under a new 2025 law criminalizing same-sex relations. An individual identified as K.M. received a 24-month prison term, a 2,000,000 CFA franc fine (about $3,581), and post-sentence expulsion, with official charges listed as "homosexuality and related practices." The African Human Rights Coalition voiced grave concern over the law's sweeping, vague language, its use against a vulnerable foreign national, and the penal severity. The military junta passed the ban in September with support from 71 unelected parliament members and President Ibrahim Traoré. The law allows up to five years' imprisonment and significant fines.
Read at Advocate.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]