Niger’s military government has arrested dozens of people, including senior military officials, since introducing a penal code in February that criminalizes same-sex relations for the first time in the country’s history. Local reports indicate that up to 40 people have been arrested, including military officers, while organizations providing HIV prevention services have suspended operations as many community members go into hiding. The law imposes prison sentences of up to 10 years for same-sex relations and up to 20 years for participating in or supporting LGBTQ+ organizations or marriages. Activists warn the measures will worsen access to HIV prevention, including condoms, testing, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), increasing public health risks. Rights groups have urged Niger to repeal the legislation, describing it as part of a broader trend of harsher anti-LGBTQ+ laws across sub-Saharan Africa.
The Guardian