The Criminalization of LGBT+ in the MENA Region: A Map Showing the Bleak Reality |(dot)gender
(dot)gender | A space by LORENA STELLA MARTINI
In the world, 71 countries still criminalize same-sex relations. Almost all MENA countries, with very few exceptions, belong to this category. Indeed, the MENA region is one of the areas in the world where LGBT+ rights are neglected the most. This includes the existence of laws criminalizing same-sex relations, which can lead to imprisonment in many countries of the region and even to death penalty in a few of them, either potentially or factually.
LGBT+ activists, whose advocacy activities have been on the rise in the MENA region throughout the last decade, are frequently harassed and targeted; laws criminalizing same-sex relationship are used by governments to preserve the status quo, and also in some instances as a tool to silence and punish opposition. In this overall framework, LGBT+ persons suffer from socio-economic marginalization, multiple forms of discrimination – among which state-based discrimination stands out – and a lack of protection from the authorities.
In order to understand the extent of these phenomena and the different legal situations in the countries of the region (and beyond), a map by the UK based NGO Human DIgnity Trust thoroughly describes the state of play in each of the countries where the law somehow criminalizes LGBT+ people. You can access it via this link.
