LGBTQ rights in Niger

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LGBTQ rights in Niger
Niger
Legal statusIllegal since 2025, codified in 2026.
PenaltyUp to 5 to 10 years imprisonment with a fine of 100,000,000 francs.
Gender identityNo
MilitaryNo
Discrimination protectionsLimited protections based on sexual orientation
Family rights
Recognition of relationshipsNo[1]
AdoptionNo[2]

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in Niger face severe challenges not experienced by non-LGBTQ residents. Same-sex sexual activity was explicitly outlawed in 2025 and penalized in 2026, and the Nigerien LGBTQ community faces stigmatization among the broader population.

Law regarding same-sex sexual activity, LGBTQIA+ people and organizations

All "lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersexual, asexual (LGBTQIA+)" acts or practices ("pratiques") are currently criminalized based on Article 25 of Niger's "Charte de la Refondation" ("Refoundation Charter"), adopted in March 2025 by the country's ruling military junta.[3] Even before this change, the age of consent was not equal for same-sex and opposite-sex sexual activity, being set at 13 for heterosexual acts and 21 for homosexual acts.[4][5]

In June 2026, Niger's new penal code proceeded to sanction "same-sex sexual relations" and "lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersexual, asexual (LGBTQIA+)" acts or practices ("pratiques") with penalties ranging from 5 to 10 years in prison. This includes same-sex sexual activity, the public announcement of one's romantic relationship with a person of the same sex, and changing or attempting to change one's birth sex.[6][7]

Recognition of same-sex relationships

Niger does not legally recognize same-sex unions.[1] In March 2025, Niger defines marriage as a "union between a man and a woman"[8], Since June 2026, officiating or organizing same-sex marriage(s), and creating, finacing, participating in LGBTQIA+ organisations, are sanctioned with penalites ranging from 10 to 20 years in prison.[6][7]

Discrimination protections

There are no broad legal protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.[9] However, some limited protections based on sexual orientation are in place:

  • Article 4 of Law 2015-36 on the Illicit Trafficking of Migrants prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation.[10]
  • Article 95 of Law 2022-59 on the Protection of Personal Data, states: "The act, except in the cases provided for in Article 42 of this law, of collecting and processing data that reveals racial, ethnic, or regional origin, parentage, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, sexual life or sexual orientation, genetic data, or, more generally, data relating to the health of the person concerned shall be punishable by imprisonment of three months to five years and a fine of 5,000,000 to 50,000,000 francs."[11]

Living conditions

The U.S. Department of State's 2010 Human Rights Report found that "there were no known organizations of lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender persons and no reports of violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. However, gay persons experienced societal discrimination."[9]

Summary table

Same-sex sexual activity legal No Illegal since 2025, codified since 2026. (Penalty: 5 to 10 years imprisonment with a fine up to 100,000,000 francs)
Equal age of consent No
Anti-discrimination laws in hate speech and violence No
Anti-discrimination laws in employment No
Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services No
Same-sex marriage No Constitutional ban since 2025[8], sanctioned since 2026. (Penalty: 10 to 20 years imprisonment)
Recognition of same-sex couples No
Step-child adoption by same-sex couples No
Joint adoption by same-sex couples No
Gays and lesbians allowed to serve openly in the military No
Right to change legal gender No Illegal since 2025, attempt to change one's birth sex sanctioned since 2026. (Penalty: 5 to 10 years imprisonment with a fine up to 100,000,000 francs)
Access to IVF for lesbians No
Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples No
MSMs allowed to donate blood No

See also

References

  1. "STATE-SPONSORED HOMOPHOBIA Updated Edition 2020 - ilga.org - GLOBAL LEGISLATION OVERVIEW UPDATE" (PDF).
  2. "Niger".
  3. "ACTES DU PRESIDENT DU CONSEIL NATIONAL POUR LA SAUVEGARDE DE LA PATRIE - Décret n° 2025-160/P/CNSP du 26 mars 2025 portant promungation de la Charte de la Refondation" (PDF) (in French). 26 March 2025. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  4. "Niger | Outright International". outrightinternational.org. 12 March 2026. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
  5. "REPUBLIQUE DU NIGER - MINISTERE DE LA JUSTICE - CODE PENAL - Journal Officiel spécial N° 4 du 7 avril 2004 - articles 278 to 282" (PDF) (in French). 7 April 2004. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  6. Hamza Harouna Adamou (12 June 2026). "Le Niger criminalise la Pratique LGBTQIA+ dans le pays". Agence nigérienne de presse (in French). Retrieved 22 June 2026. Toute personne qui commet ou tente de commettre un acte impudique ou contre nature ou pratiques Lesbiennes, Gays, Bisexuelles, Transgenres, Queers, Intersexes, Asexuelles (LGBTQIA+), entretient ou tente d'entretenir des relations sexuelles avec une personne de même sexe, est punie d'un emprisonnement de cinq (05) ans à moins de dix (10) ans. Encourt la peine prévue au 1er alinéa du présent article, toute personne qui affiche publiquement sa relation amoureuse avec une personne de même sexe ou qui change ou tente de changer artificiellement son sexe de naissance (...) Quiconque contracte un mariage avec une personne de même sexe, est puni d'un emprisonnement de dix (10) ans à vingt (20) ans. La même peine est applicable aux personnes ayant officié le mariage, aux témoins des prétendus époux ainsi qu'aux personnes ayant donné leur accord pour la célébration du mariage et aux organisateurs (...) Toute personne qui gère, dirige, fait fonctionner, finance ou qui participe à des clubs, des sociétés, des organisations ou associations pour homosexuels ou LGBTQIA+, directement ou indirectement, est punie d'une peine d'emprisonnement de dix (10) à vingt (20)
  7. "Niger military junta introduces new penal code criminalizing homosexuality with 5-10 years in prison". AP News. 12 June 2026. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
  8. "The Charter of Refoundation" (PDF). 26 March 2025.
  9. NIGER Archived 14 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  10. "Law 2015-36 on the Illicit Trafficking of Migrants" (PDF) (in French). 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  11. "Law 2022-59 on the Protection of Personal Data" (PDF) (in French). 2022. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 August 2025. Retrieved 10 June 2025.