Benin: Laws regarding homosexuality and the treatment of homosexuals by the public and the authorities
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 17 December 2003 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | BEN42291.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Benin: Laws regarding homosexuality and the treatment of homosexuals by the public and the authorities , 17 December 2003, BEN42291.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/403dd1e28.html [accessed 7 October 2022] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Documentary references to the situation of homosexuals in Benin are scarce. Behind the Mask (BTM), a Website on gay and lesbian affairs in Africa, and the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) state that homosexuality is illegal in Benin (BTM n.d.; ILGA 18 July 2003). ILGA's legal survey of Benin indicates that Article 88 of Benin's 1996 Penal Code provides for a one to three year prison sentence and a fine of 100,000 to 500,000 francs, or approximately CDN$250 to CDN$1,250 (Oanda 17 Dec. 2003a; ibid 17 Dec. 2003b), to "anyone who commits an indecent act or an act against nature with an individual of the same sex" (ILGA 21 July 2002). The survey also notes that Benin opposed a proposal, which ultimately failed, to include references to sexual orientation in the draft "Platform for Action" at the United Nations 4th Conference on Women in Beijing (ibid.).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Behind the Mask (BTM). n.d. "Benin."
Oanda. 17 December 2003a. "FXConverter - 164 Currency Converter Results."
_____. 17 December 2003b. "FXConverter - 164 Currency Converter Results."
International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA). 21 July 2002. "Benin: World Legal Survey."
Additional Sources Consulted
Dialog
IRB Databases
Internet sites, including:
Africa Online
The African
Afrol.com
AllAfrica.com
Amnesty International
Archbishop of Canterbury
BBC Africa
Behind the Mask
Global Gayz.com
Human Rights Watch
International Lesbian and Gay Association
International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission
World News Connection
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