LGBT rights in Algeria
Algeria
Same-sex sexual activity legal?	Illegal
Penalty:	Fine, 2 months to 2 years imprisonment
Gender identity/expression	-
Recognition of relationships	No recognition of same-sex relationships
Military service	No
Discrimination protections	None

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Algeria experience legal issues not experienced by non-LGBT citizens. According to the International Lesbian and Gay Association's May 2008 report, both male and female homosexual acts are illegal in Algeria.^[1]

[edit] Laws against homosexuality

Article 338 of Algerian law (English translation) reads:

"Anyone guilty of a homosexual act is punishable with imprisonment of between 2 months and

two years, and with a fine of 500 to 2000 Algerian Dinars.
If one of the participants is below 18 years old, the punishment for the older person can be raised to 3 years' imprisonment and a fine of 10,000 dinars"

—Article 338 , (ILGA May 2008 world laws report^[1])

Laws are influenced by the number of people who see homosexuality as against the Islamic faith. Algeria is known for fundamentalist laws, such as one banning religious conversion.^[2]

[edit] Living conditions

Algerian society is not very tolerant of homosexual persons. Behind the Mask, a non-profit media organization that publishes information for gay men and lesbians in Africa, describes Algerian public attitudes as "violently homophobic;" it states that gay people can be assassination targets for Islamic fundamentalists and that honour killings by family and neighbours are not rare."^[3] Examples of hate crimes against homosexuals include the stoning of two men in the street in 2001^[4] and the killing of two men, one in 1994 and the other in 1996.^[4]

Most attempts at same-sex marriage end in police action, as was the case in a 2005 attempt.^[5]

This troublesome and dangerous life led one man, Ramzi Isalam, to seek asylum in the United Kingdom.^[4]

Homosexuality in Algeria is tolerated by some. In 2007 a large majority of people accepted homosexuals by showing tolerance and equality.^{[citation needed]} The president Abdelaziz Bouteflika replied to a question about homosexuals saying: "If they behave well nobody will harm them and will give them all the freedom they deserve".^{[citation needed]}

In Algiers, for example, it is very common to see homosexuals in public, those more visible often wearing flashy clothes or taking part in transvestism, and so lately they have been tolerated.^{[citation needed]}

Louisa Hanoune, president of the Workers' Party, has asked for authorization for the revision of the constitution that will be made in 2008^{[dated info]} to remove Article 333 and other articles that are against freedom for homosexual persons or which demonstrate inequality. Hanoune was previously nominated for president in 2004, and is expected to be a candidate for the 2009 Algerian presidential election.

[edit] See also

LGBT portal

Human rights portal

• Human rights in Algeria
• Politics of Algeria
• LGBT rights in Africa

[edit] Notes

[edit] External links

• UK government travel advice for Algeria: Local laws and customs
• Homosexuality in Muslim Countries
• Asylumlaw.org: Sexual Minorities & HIV Status (Algeria) — various information packets used for asylum purposes

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