Niger has arrested at least 16 people under a newly introduced law criminalising same-sex sexual relations, a judicial source told Reuters on Wednesday, marking a sharp escalation in the country’s crackdown on LGBTQ people.
The arrests include senior officials working in the customs and police services, as well as several civilians, the source said.
According to Niger’s official gazette dated March 27, same-sex sexual relations are now punishable by prison terms ranging from five to 10 years, along with fines between 10 million and 100 million CFA francs, equivalent to roughly $18,000 to $180,000.
“The operation is ongoing,” the judicial source said, adding that authorities would target “certain facilities where people of the same sex live together,” including army barracks and university campuses.
The document also states that people found to be in a same-sex marriage could face prison sentences of 10 to 20 years. Those operating LGBTQ organisations could be fined between 50 million and 500 million CFA francs.
Niger’s government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The move places Niger among a growing number of West African countries that have tightened anti-LGBTQ laws in recent months. Senegal and Burkina Faso have also passed legislation targeting LGBTQ people.
Niger previously banned same-sex marriage but had not imposed criminal penalties for same-sex relations.