Burkina Faso has joined the list of African countries criminalizing homosexuality, with the military junta’s approval of a revised family code that imposes harsh penalties, including death or long prison sentences, for same-sex relationships.
The new Personal and Family Code (CPF), endorsed by the council and announced by the presidency, explicitly bans homosexuality, making Burkina Faso one of 22 African countries with laws punishing homosexuality.
READ MORE: Lagos Govt. Moves To Banish Power Outage, Pledges To Enhance Electricity Transmission, Disruption
Minister of Justice Edasso Rodrigue Bayala stressed, “Homosexuality and related practices are prohibited and punishable by law.”
Although the specific consequences are undisclosed, the move aligns Burkina Faso with countries like Uganda, which have some of the world’s strictest anti-LGBTQ laws.
The Transitional Legislative Assembly still needs to approve the document, but the move marks a significant setback for LGBTQ rights in Burkina Faso.
