Niger becomes the first country in the world to criminalize asexuality

Niger’s military government has enacted a new penal code that introduces harsh prison sentences for same-sex relations and any affiliation with the LGBT community. For the first time in global practice, the law explicitly prohibits “asexual practices”.

According to the text of the new code, individuals found guilty of committing or attempting to commit “an indecent or unnatural act, or Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA+) practices” face between 5 and 10 years in prison. In addition, large fines are stipulated ranging from 10 to 100 million CFA francs (approximately 17,000 to 170,000 US dollars).

The law also criminalizes same-sex marriages, stipulating 10 to 20 years in prison. The same punishment awaits anyone who manages, finances, or participates in the activities of organizations supporting the LGBT community. Previously in this Muslim-majority country, same-sex relations were not considered a criminal offense, although they remained a taboo subject. As reported by RFI , the new law came into force unnoticed, and the large-scale crackdown only became known after media reports.