Mass Arrests of LGBTQ People Begin in Niger Following Ban on Same-Sex Relationships

In the African nation of Niger, mass arrests of LGBTQ people have begun. According to sources cited by PinkNews , up to 40 individuals have been detained in the country, including high-ranking military and government officials. Judicial authorities have confirmed the arrest of at least 16 men.

The arrests are being carried out under a new penal code that was adopted in February and came into effect in the summer of 2026. For the first time in the country’s history, the law has explicitly criminalized homosexuality. Under the new legislation, “indecent acts” and same-sex sexual relations are punishable by five to ten years in prison and a heavy fine. Entering into a same-sex marriage or establishing LGBTQ organizations can lead to a prison sentence of up to 20 years.

Organizations involved in HIV prevention and support report that the current situation is forcing people into hiding. As a result, members of the LGBTQ community are losing access to condoms, testing, and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), raising serious concerns among human rights defenders and medical workers.

In 2023, General Abdourahamane Tiani came to power in Niger following a military coup. His government pursues a course of defending traditional values and criticizes Western influence. In late June 2026, Niger also voted against a UN political declaration on HIV/AIDS.