‘Witch-hunt’ in Niger as military regime rounds up LGBTQ+ population
Summary
Niger’s military government has arrested dozens of people for homosexuality after a new law made same-sex relations illegal earlier this year. The law punishes LGBTQ+ activities with long prison sentences and heavy fines, causing many LGBTQ+ people to hide and organizations providing health services to stop working.Key Facts
- A new law in Niger, effective from February 2025, criminalizes same-sex relationships with up to 10 years in prison and large fines.
- Around 40 people were arrested, including 16 men in prison, some of whom are military officials.
- The law also punishes organizing or witnessing gay marriages and involvement with LGBTQ+ groups with up to 20 years in prison.
- HIV service providers for men who have sex with men have had to cease operations.
- The military leader Gen Abdourahamane Tiani seized power in a coup in July 2023 and replaced Niger’s constitution with a new charter in March 2025.
- Niger joined Burkina Faso and Mali in creating strict anti-LGBTQ+ laws in recent years.
- The new laws and the hostile environment risk increasing HIV infections because affected people avoid health services.
- Niger voted against a UN declaration on HIV/AIDS progress, while other parts of Africa have seen declines in new HIV cases.
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