Entry #5492: Homosexual activity in Western Sahara

Current Version

RegionWestern Sahara
IssueHomosexual activity
StatusIllegal (other penalty)
Start DateNov 14, 1975
End Date(none)
DescriptionInformation related to the legality of homosexuality in Western Sahara (also known as the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic) is extremely limited. Some sources, such as The Council for Global Equality, state that homosexuality is illegal in Western Sahara. However, the actual situation is more nuanced.

In 1975, Spain unilaterally withdrew from its colony of Western Sahara, and the territory was invaded by Morocco and Mauritania. Mauritania later withdrew its troops, but Morocco did not. Morocco now controls more than two-thirds of the territory claimed by the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).

In Morocco, homosexuality is a crime punishable by six months to three years of imprisonment, and a fine of 120 to 1,000 dirhams. However, in the territory controlled by the SADR, information on any possible punishments for homosexuality is not readily available.
Sourceshttps://www.globalequality.org/storage/documents/pdf/oae2011-refguide-4page.pdf
https://www.lawgratis.com/blog-detail/criminal-law-western-sahara
https://arabcenterdc.org/resource/the-polisario-front-morocco-and-the-western-sahara-conflict/
https://ilga.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/02_ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2016_ENG_WEB_150516.pdf


Revision History (29)

edited by quipt. Spain withdrew from the Spanish Sahara on 14 November 1975

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Old Value New Value (Current)
Start Date1975Nov 14, 1975

edited by UnknownMiles. Adding more info, fixing description, links, date, and changing status.

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Old Value New Value
ValueIllegal (imprisonment as punishment)Illegal (other penalty)
Start DateJan 15, 19441975
End DateNov 15, 1975(none)
DescriptionUp to 3 years in prison. Not enforced.Information related to the legality of homosexuality in Western Sahara (also known as the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic) is extremely limited. Some sources, such as The Council for Global Equality, state that homosexuality is illegal in Western Sahara. However, the actual situation is more nuanced.

In 1975, Spain unilaterally withdrew from its colony of Western Sahara, and the territory was invaded by Morocco and Mauritania. Mauritania later withdrew its troops, but Morocco did not. Morocco now controls more than two-thirds of the territory claimed by the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).

In Morocco, homosexuality is a crime punishable by six months to three years of imprisonment, and a fine of 120 to 1,000 dirhams. However, in the territory controlled by the SADR, information on any possible punishments for homosexuality is not readily available.
Show Difference
Up to 3 years in prison. Not enforced. Information related to the legality of homosexuality in Western Sahara (also known as the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic) is extremely limited. Some sources, such as The Council for Global Equality, state that homosexuality is illegal in Western Sahara. However, the actual situation is more nuanced. In 1975, Spain unilaterally withdrew from its colony of Western Sahara, and the territory was invaded by Morocco and Mauritania. Mauritania later withdrew its troops, but Morocco did not. Morocco now controls more than two-thirds of the territory claimed by the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). In Morocco, homosexuality is a crime punishable by six months to three years of imprisonment, and a fine of 120 to 1,000 dirhams. However, in the territory controlled by the SADR, information on any possible punishments for homosexuality is not readily available.
Sourceshttps://www.amnestyusa.org/files/making_love_a_crime_-_facts__figures.pdf


https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/09/06/homosexuality-illegal-countries-gay-sex-india/


https://www.hrw.org/video-photos/interactive/2018/04/16/sexual-orientation-gender-identity-country-profiles#morocco_western_sahara



https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/gay-lesbian-bisexual-relationships-illegal-in-74-countries-a7033666.html
https://www.globalequality.org/storage/documents/pdf/oae2011-refguide-4page.pdf
https://www.lawgratis.com/blog-detail/criminal-law-western-sahara
https://arabcenterdc.org/resource/the-polisario-front-morocco-and-the-western-sahara-conflict/
https://ilga.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/02_ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2016_ENG_WEB_150516.pdf
Show Difference
https://www.amnestyusa.org/files/making_love_a_crime_-_facts__figures.pdf https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/09/06/homosexuality-illegal-countries-gay-sex-india/ https://www.hrw.org/video-photos/interactive/2018/04/16/sexual-orientation-gender-identity-country-profiles#morocco_western_sahara https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/gay-lesbian-bisexual-relationships-illegal-in-74-countries-a7033666.html https://www.globalequality.org/storage/documents/pdf/oae2011-refguide-4page.pdf https://www.lawgratis.com/blog-detail/criminal-law-western-sahara https://arabcenterdc.org/resource/the-polisario-front-morocco-and-the-western-sahara-conflict/ https://ilga.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/02_ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2016_ENG_WEB_150516.pdf

edited by DaisyGeekyTrans. Fixing date overlap.

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Old Value New Value
End DateSep 8, 2018Nov 15, 1975

edited by Ausyk

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Old Value New Value
Value(REMOVED)Illegal (imprisonment as punishment)
Special StatusAmbiguousIllegal (imprisonment as punishment)
End DateAug 19, 2018Sep 8, 2018
DescriptionUp to 3 years in prison. Under area controlled by morocco. Legal in area near border.Up to 3 years in prison. Not enforced.
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Up to 3 years in prison. Under area controlled by morocco. Legal in area near border. Not enforced.
Sourceshttps://www.amnestyusa.org/files/making_love_a_crime_-_facts__figures.pdf


https://www.hrw.org/video-photos/interactive/2018/04/16/sexual-orientation-gender-identity-country-profiles#morocco_western_sahara



https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/gay-lesbian-bisexual-relationships-illegal-in-74-countries-a7033666.html
https://www.amnestyusa.org/files/making_love_a_crime_-_facts__figures.pdf


https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/09/06/homosexuality-illegal-countries-gay-sex-india/


https://www.hrw.org/video-photos/interactive/2018/04/16/sexual-orientation-gender-identity-country-profiles#morocco_western_sahara



https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/gay-lesbian-bisexual-relationships-illegal-in-74-countries-a7033666.html
Show Difference
https://www.amnestyusa.org/files/making_love_a_crime_-_facts__figures.pdf https://www.hrw.org/video-photos/interactive/2018/04/16/sexual-orientation-gender-identity-country-profiles#morocco_western_sahara https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/gay-lesbian-bisexual-relationships-illegal-in-74-countries-a7033666.html https://www.amnestyusa.org/files/making_love_a_crime_-_facts__figures.pdf https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/09/06/homosexuality-illegal-countries-gay-sex-india/ https://www.hrw.org/video-photos/interactive/2018/04/16/sexual-orientation-gender-identity-country-profiles#morocco_western_sahara https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/gay-lesbian-bisexual-relationships-illegal-in-74-countries-a7033666.html

edited by Ausyk

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Old Value New Value
ValueMale illegal, female legal(REMOVED)
Special StatusMale illegal, female legalAmbiguous
DescriptionUp to 3 years in prison. Not enforced.Up to 3 years in prison. Under area controlled by morocco. Legal in area near border.
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Up to 3 years in prison. Not enforced. Under area controlled by morocco. Legal in area near border.

edited by Ausyk

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Old Value New Value
Descriptionsix months in prison and a fine. Not enforced.Up to 3 years in prison. Not enforced.

edited by Ausyk

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Start DateNov 15, 1975Jan 15, 1944
End DateAug 7, 2018Aug 19, 2018

edited by Ausyk

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End DateJul 28, 2018Aug 7, 2018

edited by Ausyk

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Old Value New Value
End DateJul 22, 2018Jul 28, 2018
Descriptionsix months in prison and a fine.six months in prison and a fine. Not enforced.

edited by Ausyk

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Old Value New Value
End DateJul 20, 2018Jul 22, 2018
Descriptionsix months in prison and a fine. not enforced. six months in prison and a fine.

edited by Ausyk

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Old Value New Value
ValueIllegal (imprisonment as punishment)Male illegal, female legal
End DateJul 9, 2018Jul 20, 2018
Descriptionsix months in prison and a fine. not enforced. Decriminalization pending.six months in prison and a fine. not enforced.
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six months in prison and a fine. not enforced. Decriminalization pending.

edited by Ausyk

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Old Value New Value
End DateJun 24, 2018Jul 9, 2018
Description3 months to 3 years in prison. not enforced. Decriminalization pending.six months in prison and a fine. not enforced. Decriminalization pending.
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3 months to 3 years in prison. not enforced. Decriminalization pending. six months in prison and a fine. not enforced. Decriminalization pending.
Sourceshttps://www.amnestyusa.org/files/making_love_a_crime_-_facts__figures.pdf



https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/gay-lesbian-bisexual-relationships-illegal-in-74-countries-a7033666.html
https://www.amnestyusa.org/files/making_love_a_crime_-_facts__figures.pdf


https://www.hrw.org/video-photos/interactive/2018/04/16/sexual-orientation-gender-identity-country-profiles#morocco_western_sahara



https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/gay-lesbian-bisexual-relationships-illegal-in-74-countries-a7033666.html
Show Difference
https://www.amnestyusa.org/files/making_love_a_crime_-_facts__figures.pdf https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/gay-lesbian-bisexual-relationships-illegal-in-74-countries-a7033666.html https://www.amnestyusa.org/files/making_love_a_crime_-_facts__figures.pdf https://www.hrw.org/video-photos/interactive/2018/04/16/sexual-orientation-gender-identity-country-profiles#morocco_western_sahara https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/gay-lesbian-bisexual-relationships-illegal-in-74-countries-a7033666.html

edited by Ausyk

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Old Value New Value
End DateJun 13, 2018Jun 24, 2018
Description3 months to 3 years in prison. not enforced.3 months to 3 years in prison. not enforced. Decriminalization pending.
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3 months to 3 years in prison. not enforced. Decriminalization pending.

edited by Ausyk

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Old Value New Value
ValueLegalIllegal (imprisonment as punishment)
End DateApr 5, 2018Jun 13, 2018
DescriptionNot one of the 38 countries that outlaws homosexuality.3 months to 3 years in prison. not enforced.
Sourceshttps://www.amnestyusa.org/files/making_love_a_crime_-_facts__figures.pdfhttps://www.amnestyusa.org/files/making_love_a_crime_-_facts__figures.pdf



https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/gay-lesbian-bisexual-relationships-illegal-in-74-countries-a7033666.html
Show Difference
https://www.amnestyusa.org/files/making_love_a_crime_-_facts__figures.pdf https://www.amnestyusa.org/files/making_love_a_crime_-_facts__figures.pdf https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/gay-lesbian-bisexual-relationships-illegal-in-74-countries-a7033666.html

edited by Ausyk

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Old Value New Value
Sourceshttps://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/world_report_download/201801world_report_web.pdfhttps://www.amnestyusa.org/files/making_love_a_crime_-_facts__figures.pdf
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https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/world_report_download/201801world_report_web.pdf https://www.amnestyusa.org/files/making_love_a_crime_-_facts__figures.pdf

edited by Ausyk

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Old Value New Value
ValueIllegal (imprisonment as punishment)Legal
End DateApr 1, 2018Apr 5, 2018
Descriptionupt to 3 years in prison.Not one of the 38 countries that outlaws homosexuality.

edited by Ausyk

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Old Value New Value
ValueLegalIllegal (imprisonment as punishment)
DescriptionNot criminalized in southern part.upt to 3 years in prison.

edited by Ausyk

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Old Value New Value
ValueIllegal (imprisonment as punishment)Legal
End DateMar 8, 2018Apr 1, 2018
DescriptionSix months to 3 years in prison and or fine 120- 1000 dirhams under Article 489 of Morrocon Criminal Code. Follows Morroco's laws because it doesn't have a government. Also morocco controls a vast portion of the territory. According to the 2018 World Report.Not criminalized in southern part.
Show Difference
Six months to 3 years in prison and or fine 120- 1000 dirhams under Article 489 of Morrocon Criminal Code. Follows Morroco's laws because it doesn't have a government. Also morocco controls a vast portion of the territory. According to the 2018 World Report. Not criminalized in southern part.

edited by Ausyk

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End DateFeb 12, 2018Mar 8, 2018

edited by Ausyk

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Old Value New Value
End DateFeb 10, 2018Feb 12, 2018
DescriptionSix months to 3 years in prison ; fine 120- 1000 dirhams. the same as morocco. Follows Morroco's laws because it doesn't have a government. Also morocco controls a vast portion of the territory.Six months to 3 years in prison and or fine 120- 1000 dirhams under Article 489 of Morrocon Criminal Code. Follows Morroco's laws because it doesn't have a government. Also morocco controls a vast portion of the territory. According to the 2018 World Report.
Show Difference
Six months to 3 years in prison ; fine 120- 1000 dirhams. the same as morocco. Follows Morroco's laws because it doesn't have a government. Also morocco controls a vast portion of the territory. and or fine 120- 1000 dirhams under Article 489 of Morrocon Criminal Code. Follows Morroco's laws because it doesn't have a government. Also morocco controls a vast portion of the territory. According to the 2018 World Report.
Sourceshttps://lgbt-rights-hrw.silk.co/https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/world_report_download/201801world_report_web.pdf
Show Difference
https://lgbt-rights-hrw.silk.co/ https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/world_report_download/201801world_report_web.pdf

edited by Ausyk

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End DateJan 29, 2018Feb 10, 2018

edited by Ausyk

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Old Value New Value
End DateNov 16, 2017Jan 29, 2018
DescriptionSix months to 3 years in prison ; fine 120- 1000 dirhams. the same as morocco. Follows Morroco's laws because it doesn't have a government.Six months to 3 years in prison ; fine 120- 1000 dirhams. the same as morocco. Follows Morroco's laws because it doesn't have a government. Also morocco controls a vast portion of the territory.
Show Difference
Six months to 3 years in prison ; fine 120- 1000 dirhams. the same as morocco. Follows Morroco's laws because it doesn't have a government. Also morocco controls a vast portion of the territory.

edited by Ausyk

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Old Value New Value
SourcesNohttps://lgbt-rights-hrw.silk.co/

edited by Ausyk

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Old Value New Value
DescriptionSix months to 3 years in prison. the same as morocco. Follows Morroco's laws because it doesn't have a government.Six months to 3 years in prison ; fine 120- 1000 dirhams. the same as morocco. Follows Morroco's laws because it doesn't have a government.
Show Difference
Six months to 3 years in prison. the same as morocco. Follows Morroco's laws because it doesn't have a government. prison ; fine 120- 1000 dirhams. the same as morocco. Follows Morroco's laws because it doesn't have a government.

edited by Ausyk

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Old Value New Value
End DateSep 20, 2017Nov 16, 2017
DescriptionUp to 3 years in prison. the same as morocco. Follows Morroco's laws because it doesn't have a government.Six months to 3 years in prison. the same as morocco. Follows Morroco's laws because it doesn't have a government.
Show Difference
Up to 3 years in prison. the same as morocco. Follows Morroco's laws because it doesn't have a government. Six months to 3 years in prison. the same as morocco. Follows Morroco's laws because it doesn't have a government.

edited by Ausyk

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Old Value New Value
DescriptionUp to 3 years in prison. the same as morocco.Up to 3 years in prison. the same as morocco. Follows Morroco's laws because it doesn't have a government.
Show Difference
Up to 3 years in prison. the same as morocco. Follows Morroco's laws because it doesn't have a government.

edited by Ausyk

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Old Value New Value
End DateAug 10, 2017Sep 20, 2017
DescriptionOnly illegal in northern part of the province. Punishment of 3 years in prison. Up to 3 years in prison. the same as morocco.
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Only illegal in northern part of the province. Punishment of 3 years in prison. Up to 3 years in prison. the same as morocco.

edited by Ausyk

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Old Value (Original) New Value
End DateMar 6, 2017Aug 10, 2017
Descriptiononly illegal in northern part of the province. Only illegal in northern part of the province. Punishment of 3 years in prison.
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only illegal in northern part of the province. Only illegal in northern part of the province. Punishment of 3 years in prison.

created by Ausyk

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Original entry
StatusIllegal (imprisonment as punishment)
Start DateNov 15, 1975
End DateMar 6, 2017
Descriptiononly illegal in northern part of the province.
SourcesNo