LGBT rights in Algeria

LGBT rights in Algeria covers the legal and social conditions of LGBT people living in Algeria.

Homosexuality

According to Article 388 of the penal code from 1996, sodomy may be punished with imprisonment from two months to 2 years and a fine of 10,000 Algerian dinars. [http://www.actwin.com/eatonohio/gay/world.htm] According to Article 333, an "outrage to public decency" increases the penalties in the case of "acts against nature with a member of the same sex" with a prison sentence of between 6 months to 3 years and a fine of between 1,000 and 10,000 dinar. [Spartacus International Gay Guide, page 1216. Bruno Gmunder Verlag, 2007.]

The social climate is not very tolerant of homosexual individuals. "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." [http://www.cisr-irb.gc.ca/en/research/rir/?action=record.viewrec&gotorec=451420 RIR Responses] Examples of hate crimes against homosexuals include the stoning of two men in the street in 2001 and the killing of two men, one in 1994 and the other in 1996.

Most attempts at same-sex marriage end in police action, as was the case in a 2005 attempt. [ [http://www.ordoesitexplode.com/me/civil_rights_abuses_gay_rights/index.html Or Does It Explode?: Civil Rights Abuses: Gay Rights ] ]

This troublesome and dangerous life led one man, Ramzi Isalam, to seek asylum in the United Kingdom. [http://www.mask.org.za/article.php?cat=Algeria&id=61 gay man seeks asylum in uk ] ]

Homosexuality in Algeria is tolerated by some. In 2007 a large majority of people accepted homosexuals by showing tolerance and equality. 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".

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.

Louisa Hanoune, president of the Workers' Party (Algeria), from the left, is asking for authorization for the revision of the constitution that will be made in 2008 to remove Article 333 and other articles that are against freedom or which demonstrate inequality.

Islamic influence

Laws are influenced by the number of people who see homosexuality as against the Islamic faith. Algeria is known for extremist laws, such as one banning religious conversion. [ [http://qandablog.typepad.com/questions_and_answers/activism/index.html Questions and Answers: Activism ] ]

New Politic

Louisa Hanoune in 2008, has pledged to defend homosexuals and give them many more rights and a life much more freedom in Algeria. Louisa Hanoune has been nominated for president in 2004, and will be a candidate for the Algerian presidential election, 2009.

Notes

[http://www.afrol.com/features/10270 Homosexuality in Muslim Countries]