Current Version
| Region | Syria |
| Issue | Censorship of LGBT issues |
| Status | State-enforced |
| Start Date | 1949 |
| End Date | (none) |
| Description | Article 208 of the Penal Code (1949) prohibits "offensive public utterances" in writing, graphics, images, and other forms of expression. Before the civil war, it was reported that films with LGBT content were censored. In June 2022, it was reported that Syria's Directorate of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection confiscated around 600 rainbow kites as their designs were similar to the pride flag and therefore "indicating homosexuality". Various articles of Law No. 93 (1958) allow the Ministry to appoint or remove board members, disallow political participation, foreign funding, and allow the registration to be rescinded at will. Further, Article 35 allows any Board decision to be suspended “if it deems it to be against the law, the public order or morals”. This legal framework appears to pose severe barriers to the formal registration and the operation of an organisation working on sexual and gender diversity issues. During the civil war, some regions became more tolerant due to the division of the country. However, there were also some cases of even LGBTIQ+ people in support of the Assad regime threatening to expose LGBTIQ+ people opposed to the regime to the authorities. |
| Sources | https://database.ilga.org/syria-lgbti https://coar-global.org/2021/06/22/lgbtq-syria-experiences-challenges-and-priorities-for-the-aid-sector/ https://rightsinexile.org/sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity-country-list/syria-lgbtqi-resources/ |
Revision History (19)
edited by DaisyGeekyTrans. Adding some info from the civil war.
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0 | Old Value | New Value (Current) | |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Article 208 of the Penal Code (1949) prohibits "offensive public utterances" in writing, graphics, images, and other forms of expression. Before the civil war, it was reported that films with LGBT content were censored. In June 2022, it was reported that Syria's Directorate of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection confiscated around 600 rainbow kites as their designs were similar to the pride flag and therefore "indicating homosexuality". Various articles of Law No. 93 (1958) allow the Ministry to appoint or remove board members, disallow political participation, foreign funding, and allow the registration to be rescinded at will. Further, Article 35 allows any Board decision to be suspended “if it deems it to be against the law, the public order or morals”. This legal framework appears to pose severe barriers to the formal registration and the operation of an organisation working on sexual and gender diversity issues. | Article 208 of the Penal Code (1949) prohibits "offensive public utterances" in writing, graphics, images, and other forms of expression. Before the civil war, it was reported that films with LGBT content were censored. In June 2022, it was reported that Syria's Directorate of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection confiscated around 600 rainbow kites as their designs were similar to the pride flag and therefore "indicating homosexuality". Various articles of Law No. 93 (1958) allow the Ministry to appoint or remove board members, disallow political participation, foreign funding, and allow the registration to be rescinded at will. Further, Article 35 allows any Board decision to be suspended “if it deems it to be against the law, the public order or morals”. This legal framework appears to pose severe barriers to the formal registration and the operation of an organisation working on sexual and gender diversity issues. During the civil war, some regions became more tolerant due to the division of the country. However, there were also some cases of even LGBTIQ+ people in support of the Assad regime threatening to expose LGBTIQ+ people opposed to the regime to the authorities. |
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| Sources | https://database.ilga.org/syria-lgbti https://coar-global.org/2021/06/22/lgbtq-syria-experiences-challenges-and-priorities-for-the-aid-sector/ | https://database.ilga.org/syria-lgbti https://coar-global.org/2021/06/22/lgbtq-syria-experiences-challenges-and-priorities-for-the-aid-sector/ https://rightsinexile.org/sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity-country-list/syria-lgbtqi-resources/ |
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edited by qcksws. Reverting to revision #41491: please so not change the edits unless it becomes law
Helpful?
1 | Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | (REMOVED) | State-enforced |
| Special Status | Ambiguous | State-enforced |
| Start Date | Dec 8, 2024 | 1949 |
| Description | Syrian law is being re-written with the new government after the Bashar Al-Assad Regime fell on December 8th, 2024. | Article 208 of the Penal Code (1949) prohibits "offensive public utterances" in writing, graphics, images, and other forms of expression. Before the civil war, it was reported that films with LGBT content were censored. In June 2022, it was reported that Syria's Directorate of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection confiscated around 600 rainbow kites as their designs were similar to the pride flag and therefore "indicating homosexuality". Various articles of Law No. 93 (1958) allow the Ministry to appoint or remove board members, disallow political participation, foreign funding, and allow the registration to be rescinded at will. Further, Article 35 allows any Board decision to be suspended “if it deems it to be against the law, the public order or morals”. This legal framework appears to pose severe barriers to the formal registration and the operation of an organisation working on sexual and gender diversity issues. |
Show Difference | ||
| Federal Law | Yes | No |
| Sources | https://apnews.com/article/syria-assad-sweida-daraa-homs-hts-qatar-7f65823bbf0a7bd331109e8dff419430 | https://database.ilga.org/syria-lgbti https://coar-global.org/2021/06/22/lgbtq-syria-experiences-challenges-and-priorities-for-the-aid-sector/ |
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edited by Syrwatch. Government change, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham hasn't expressed any opinions about this topic so far
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-1 | Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | State-enforced | (REMOVED) |
| Special Status | State-enforced | Ambiguous |
| Start Date | 1949 | Dec 8, 2024 |
| Description | Article 208 of the Penal Code (1949) prohibits "offensive public utterances" in writing, graphics, images, and other forms of expression. Before the civil war, it was reported that films with LGBT content were censored. In June 2022, it was reported that Syria's Directorate of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection confiscated around 600 rainbow kites as their designs were similar to the pride flag and therefore "indicating homosexuality". Various articles of Law No. 93 (1958) allow the Ministry to appoint or remove board members, disallow political participation, foreign funding, and allow the registration to be rescinded at will. Further, Article 35 allows any Board decision to be suspended “if it deems it to be against the law, the public order or morals”. This legal framework appears to pose severe barriers to the formal registration and the operation of an organisation working on sexual and gender diversity issues. | Syrian law is being re-written with the new government after the Bashar Al-Assad Regime fell on December 8th, 2024. |
Show Difference | ||
| Federal Law | No | Yes |
| Sources | https://database.ilga.org/syria-lgbti https://coar-global.org/2021/06/22/lgbtq-syria-experiences-challenges-and-priorities-for-the-aid-sector/ | https://apnews.com/article/syria-assad-sweida-daraa-homs-hts-qatar-7f65823bbf0a7bd331109e8dff419430 |
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edited by qcksws. Reverting to revision #41487: laws have not been changed, please do not change fhem
Helpful?
1 | Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | (REMOVED) | State-enforced |
| Special Status | Ambiguous | State-enforced |
| Start Date | Dec 8, 2024 | 1949 |
| Description | Syrian law is being re-written with the new government after the Bashar Al-Assad Regime fell on December 8th 2024 | Article 208 of the Penal Code (1949) prohibits "offensive public utterances" in writing, graphics, images, and other forms of expression. Before the civil war, it was reported that films with LGBT content were censored. In June 2022, it was reported that Syria's Directorate of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection confiscated around 600 rainbow kites as their designs were similar to the pride flag and therefore "indicating homosexuality". Various articles of Law No. 93 (1958) allow the Ministry to appoint or remove board members, disallow political participation, foreign funding, and allow the registration to be rescinded at will. Further, Article 35 allows any Board decision to be suspended “if it deems it to be against the law, the public order or morals”. This legal framework appears to pose severe barriers to the formal registration and the operation of an organisation working on sexual and gender diversity issues. |
Show Difference | ||
| Federal Law | Yes | No |
| Sources | https://apnews.com/article/syria-assad-sweida-daraa-homs-hts-qatar-7f65823bbf0a7bd331109e8dff419430 | https://database.ilga.org/syria-lgbti https://coar-global.org/2021/06/22/lgbtq-syria-experiences-challenges-and-priorities-for-the-aid-sector/ |
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edited by levantMENA. Government change, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham hasn't expressed any opinions about this topic so far
Helpful?
-1 | Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | State-enforced | (REMOVED) |
| Special Status | State-enforced | Ambiguous |
| Start Date | 1949 | Dec 8, 2024 |
| Description | Syrian law is being re-written with the new government after the Bashar Al-Assad Regime fell on December 8th 2024. | Syrian law is being re-written with the new government after the Bashar Al-Assad Regime fell on December 8th 2024 |
Show Difference | ||
edited by Syrwatch. Government change, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham hasn't expressed any opinions about this topic so far
Helpful?
-1 | Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Article 208 of the Penal Code (1949) prohibits "offensive public utterances" in writing, graphics, images, and other forms of expression. Before the civil war, it was reported that films with LGBT content were censored. In June 2022, it was reported that Syria's Directorate of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection confiscated around 600 rainbow kites as their designs were similar to the pride flag and therefore "indicating homosexuality". Various articles of Law No. 93 (1958) allow the Ministry to appoint or remove board members, disallow political participation, foreign funding, and allow the registration to be rescinded at will. Further, Article 35 allows any Board decision to be suspended “if it deems it to be against the law, the public order or morals”. This legal framework appears to pose severe barriers to the formal registration and the operation of an organisation working on sexual and gender diversity issues. | Syrian law is being re-written with the new government after the Bashar Al-Assad Regime fell on December 8th 2024. |
Show Difference | ||
| Federal Law | No | Yes |
| Sources | https://database.ilga.org/syria-lgbti https://coar-global.org/2021/06/22/lgbtq-syria-experiences-challenges-and-priorities-for-the-aid-sector/ | https://apnews.com/article/syria-assad-sweida-daraa-homs-hts-qatar-7f65823bbf0a7bd331109e8dff419430 |
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| Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | No censorship | State-enforced |
| Start Date | (unknown) | 1949 |
| Description | No Official censorship | Article 208 of the Penal Code (1949) prohibits "offensive public utterances" in writing, graphics, images, and other forms of expression. Before the civil war, it was reported that films with LGBT content were censored. In June 2022, it was reported that Syria's Directorate of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection confiscated around 600 rainbow kites as their designs were similar to the pride flag and therefore "indicating homosexuality". Various articles of Law No. 93 (1958) allow the Ministry to appoint or remove board members, disallow political participation, foreign funding, and allow the registration to be rescinded at will. Further, Article 35 allows any Board decision to be suspended “if it deems it to be against the law, the public order or morals”. This legal framework appears to pose severe barriers to the formal registration and the operation of an organisation working on sexual and gender diversity issues. |
Show Difference | ||
| Sources | https://coar-global.org/2021/06/22/lgbtq-syria-experiences-challenges-and-priorities-for-the-aid-sector/ | https://database.ilga.org/syria-lgbti https://coar-global.org/2021/06/22/lgbtq-syria-experiences-challenges-and-priorities-for-the-aid-sector/ |
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edited by Canadianstudent03. Previous status highly incorrect
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-1 | Old Value | New Value |
|---|
edited by Canadianstudent03. Previous status highly incorrect
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-1 | Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | (REMOVED) | No censorship |
| Description | Censorship of LGBT-related content is common, and there are limited spaces for public discussion or advocacy for LGBT rights. LGBT individuals often kept their identities hidden to avoid persecution or harm. | No Official censorship |
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edited by GeorgieTheOrgie. Update
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-1 | Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | State-enforced | (REMOVED) |
| Description | Censorship of LGBT-related content is common, and there are limited spaces for public discussion or advocacy for LGBT rights. LGBT individuals often kept their identities hidden to avoid persecution or harm. | Censorship of LGBT-related content is common, and there are limited spaces for public discussion or advocacy for LGBT rights. LGBT individuals often kept their identities hidden to avoid persecution or harm. |
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edited by Canadianstudent03. As according to the current information
Helpful?
1 | Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | No censorship | State-enforced |
| Description | No laws prohibiting LGBTQ issues | Censorship of LGBT-related content is common, and there are limited spaces for public discussion or advocacy for LGBT rights. LGBT individuals often kept their identities hidden to avoid persecution or harm. |
Show Difference | ||
edited by GeorgieTheOrgie. Inaccurate Status
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-1 | Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | Imprisonment as punishment | No censorship |
| Description | Assad’s authoritarian regime is one of the most restrictive globally | No laws prohibiting LGBTQ issues |
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edited by JohnQuebec98. Unfortunately, over 90% of Syria is now under Assad’s control
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0 | Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | (REMOVED) | Imprisonment as punishment |
| Description | There are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics in Turkish and Kurdish held territories. There are laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics in Regime, ISIS, Nusra and FSA territories. | Assad’s authoritarian regime is one of the most restrictive globally |
Show Difference | ||
edited by GeorgieTheOrgie. Inaccurate Status
Helpful?
0 | Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | No censorship | (REMOVED) |
| Description | There are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics. | There are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics in Turkish and Kurdish held territories. There are laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics in Regime, ISIS, Nusra and FSA territories. |
Show Difference | ||
edited by GeorgieTheOrgie. Inaccurate Status
Helpful?
-1 | Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | Imprisonment as punishment | No censorship |
| Description | There are laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics. | There are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics. |
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edited by Pizzaslices412653. Punishable by imprisonment
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0 | Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | (REMOVED) | Imprisonment as punishment |
edited by GeorgieTheOrgie. Data only applies to certain territories
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0 | Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | Imprisonment as punishment | (REMOVED) |
edited by JordanB3047
Helpful?
1 | Old Value (Original) | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | No censorship | Imprisonment as punishment |
| Description | In Syria, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics. | There are laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics. |
Show Difference | ||
| Sources | https://coar-global.org/2021/06/22/lgbtq-syria-experiences-challenges-and-priorities-for-the-aid-sector/ | |
Reports (1)
- Other "Syrian Police will not bother to make an arrest due to corruption"
| Original entry | |
|---|---|
| Status | No censorship |
| Start Date | (unknown) |
| End Date | (none) |
| Description | In Syria, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics. |
| Sources | (empty) |
Reports (1)
- Status is not correct