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LGBT rights in Algeria

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LGBT rights in Algeria
Algeria
Algeria
Same-sex sexual activity legal? Illegal
Penalty:
 Fine, 2 months to 2 years imprisonment
Gender identity/expression -
Recognition of
relationships		 No recognition of same-sex relationships
Military service No
Discrimination protections None

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Algeria experience legal issues not experienced by non-LGBT citizens. According to the International Lesbian and Gay Association's May 2008 report, both male and female homosexual acts are illegal in Algeria.[1]

Laws against homosexuality

Article 338 of Algerian law (English translation) reads:

Laws are influenced by the number of people who see homosexuality as against the Islamic faith. Algeria is known for fundamentalist laws, such as one banning religious conversion.[2]

Living conditions

Algerian society is not very tolerant of homosexual persons. Behind the Mask, a non-profit media organization that publishes information for gay men and lesbians in Africa, describes Algerian public attitudes as "violently homophobic;" it states that gay people can be assassination targets for Islamic fundamentalists and that honour killings by family and neighbours are not rare."[3] Examples of hate crimes against homosexuals include the stoning of two men in the street in 2001[4] and the killing of two men, one in 1994 and the other in 1996.[4]

Most attempts at same-sex marriage end in police action, as was the case in a 2005 attempt.[5]

This troublesome and dangerous life led one man, Ramzi Isalam, to seek asylum in the United Kingdom.[4]

Homosexuality in Algeria is tolerated by some. In 2007 a large majority of people accepted homosexuals by showing tolerance and equality. The president Abdelaziz Bouteflika replied to a question about homosexuals saying: "If they behave well nobody will harm them and will give them all the freedom they deserve".

In Algiers, for example, it is very common to see homosexuals in public, those more visible often wearing flashy clothes or taking part in transvestism, and so lately they have been tolerated.

Louisa Hanoune, president of the Workers' Party, has asked for authorization for the revision of the constitution that will be made in 2008 to remove Article 333 and other articles that are against freedom for homosexual persons or which demonstrate inequality. Hanoune was previously nominated for president in 2004, and is expected to be a candidate for the 2009 Algerian presidential election.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Ottosson, Daniel (May 2008). State-sponsored Homophobia: A world survey of laws prohibiting same sex activity between consenting adults Page 7. International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA). Retrieved on 2009-01-12.
  2. ↑ Questions and Answers: Activism
  3. ↑ RIR Responses
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 gay man seeks asylum in uk
  5. ↑ Or Does It Explode?: Civil Rights Abuses: Gay Rights

External links

Discuss

*Some information provided in whole or in part by http://en.wikipedia.org/

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