Nauru: Another country repeals anti-homosexuality law
The tiny Pacific island country of Nauru has repealed its law against same-sex intimacy, reducing the total number of countries with anti-homosexuality laws to 77 worldwide, by this blog’s count.
By another count, the total is now 73 countries, according to an adjusted version of a list from ILGA, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association.
Before the law was repealed, Nauru provided for up to 14 years in prison for sexual intercourse between men, but the law was not enforced. Sexual intimacy between women was not covered by that law.
For details about the total number of countries with anti-LGBT laws, see this blog’s article “77 countries where homosexuality is illegal.”
For news about Nauru’s repeal of its anti-gay law, read the following May 27 account from Radio NZ:
Nauru decriminalises homosexuality
Nauru has updated its Crimes Act, decriminalising homosexuality and abolishing suicide as an offence.
The government says parliament passed the Act two weeks ago to replace the Criminal Code of 1899 and to comply with international treaties and obligations.
The death penalty has been abolished.
The new law increases penalties for sexual offences and makes rape within marriage a crime.
It provides for new crimes such as stalking, voyeurism and posting pornography.
The Act prohibits slavery and torture to stop a child from being coerced to marry another person in exchange for a material benefit.
Parliament passed other acts, allowing for the establishment of an Office of the Public Legal Defender.
Related articles:
- Tiny African victory: Seychelles repeals ban on gay sex (May 2016, 76crimes.com)
- ’74 countries to go’ — battle cry in fight for LGBTI justice (May 2016, 76crimes.com)
- Human rights in Oceania — lots of work to do (May 2016, 76crimes.com)
Reblogged this on 8 Rays Leitrim and commented:
Well worth a read! In it’s hay-day, Northwest LGBT Pride was instrumental in helping to provide a safe-space for asylum-seekers and refugees who were still at risk here in Ireland due to hostile attitudes held by their fellow asylum-seekers.
Ideally, no one would be shunned or ridiculed or indeed verbally or physically harmed that they have to leave their family and home and so we here at 8 Rays Leitrim believe in being aware of the plight(s) faced by other members of the global Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans* community.
Great article.