Countries Where Being Gay Is Legally Punishable by Death

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The tiny nation of Brunei recently caused international outrage when it enacted draconian laws making gay sex a capital crime. After several weeks of fierce condemnation by world leaders, the sultanate announced it wouldn’t enforce the death penalty for people engaging in homosexual acts.

Whether Brunei will keep its word remains to be seen, but the small country on the island of Borneo near Malaysia is not the only nation where gay men and women are being persecuted.

The sentence for the crime of being gay in some countries is rooted in the interpretation of Sharia law, according to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association’s (ILGA) report on state-sponsored homophobia. Sharia law is the fundamental religious concept of Islam.

Same-sex sexual activity is a crime in 70 countries. Some of them, including six nations that are members of the United Nations, impose the death penalty. Another five make such punishment technically possible, even though it is rarely enforced. In 26 other countries, the maximum penalty is prison with terms varying anywhere from a few years to life imprisonment. On a more positive note, these are the countries where same sex marriage is officially legal.

To identify the countries where being gay is still legally punishable by death, 24/7 Tempo reviewed various reports on human rights and homophobia by non-profit organizations providing help and legal advice to minorities, including members of the LGBTQ community across the world.

Click here to read about countries where being gay is legally punishable by death.