LGBT rights in Somaliland

LGBT rights in

Same-sex sexual activity legal? Illegal since 1941 (as British Somaliland Protectorate)[1][2]
Penalty:
 Up to three years imprisonment
Gender identity/expression –
Discrimination protections None
Family rights
Recognition of
relationships		 No recognition of same-sex relationships

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in the Somaliland face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents.

Law regarding same-sex sexual activity

Ottoman Empire

In 1858, the Ottoman Empire legalized same-sex sexual intercourse.[1]

Italian East Africa

In 1940, Italy conquered British Somaliland and annexed it into the Italian East Africa. Since same-sex sexual activity was legal in Italy since 1890, it became legal in British Somaliland. In 1941, the British reconquered British Somaliland and re-instated their sodomy laws.[1]

British Somaliland

Prior to independence from the British, the Indian Penal Code of 1860 was applied in British Somaliland.[3]

Somali Republic

In 1964, a new penal code came into force in the Somali Republic. The code states that "Whoever has carnal intercourse with a person of the same sex shall be punished, where the act does not constitute a more serious crime, with imprisonment from three months to three years. Where the act committed is an act of lust different from carnal intercourse, the punishment imposed shall be reduced by one-third."[3]

Somaliland

In 1991, Somaliland declared itself as an independent state. Somaliland continues to apply the 1964 penal code in the country.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 STATE-SPONSORED HOMOPHOBIA
  2. ↑ "Where is it illegal to be gay?". BBC News.
  3. 1 2 LEGISLATIVE DECREE NO. 5 OF 16 December 1962
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