Discriminatory Laws Against LGBTI in Africa

In 2023, Amnesty International reported a surge in discriminatory laws targeting LGBTI people in 12 African states.

The report highlights the increasing use of legal systems to target and discriminate against LGBTI people, with cases where laws have been used to marginalize and persecute LGBTI members.

It further highlights a growing crisis of a homophobic legal war, with 31 countries criminalizing consensual same-sex sexual relations, violating human rights standards at the African Union and global level.

For instance, the situation in Uganda, where consensual homosexual relations were already illegal, became tougher with the adoption of the Homosexuality Suppression Act in 2023.

In Ghana, LGBTI people continue to face persistent discrimination and human rights violations, with the situation potentially becoming more precarious if the Ghanaian Parliament passes one of the strictest anti-LGBTI bills on the continent.

In Malawi, LGBTI people live in a hostile environment with discriminatory legislation and human rights violations.

Also, in Zambia, there is a notable increase in homophobic sentiment due to existing laws, cultural norms, and political events. Amnesty International calls on African states and governments to publicly recognize and protect the fundamental rights of all without discrimination.