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Public Opinion

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Public opinion polls in particular regions of Mauritania have found that homophobic beliefs persist.

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History

Homosexual activity in Mauritania

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Homosexual activity in Mauritania is illegal (imprisonment as punishment).

Current status
Since Jan 1, 1987
Illegal (imprisonment as punishment)
In 2021, Mauritanian officials announced at its third Universal Periodic Review that a moratorium on the death penalty has been in place since 1987. This has been verified by various UN mechanisms such as the Committee Against Torture. However, arrests in the country are still common.
Details
Sources:
www.humandignitytrust.org/c…
docstore.ohchr.org/SelfServ…
www.thepinknews.com/2020/02…
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Jul 9, 1983–Jan 1, 1987
Illegal (death penalty as punishment)
Illegal, public execution by stoning for men, [not enforced]; prison and fines for women
Mauritanian representatives informed the United Nations that executions have effectively been suspended since 1987.
On April 27, 2018, the National Assembly approved legislation replacing article 306 of the Criminal Code, mandating the death penalty for individuals convicted of "blasphemous speech" and "sacrilegious" acts. However, the death penalty for homosexual acts has not been enforced since 1986. The law removes the option, previously available under article 306, to substitute prison sentences for death penalties for certain apostasy-related offenses upon prompt repentance. Additionally, the law broadens the death penalty's reach to include "renegade acts."
Details
Sources:
www.humandignitytrust.org/c…
www.hrw.org/news/2018/05/04…
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Same-sex marriage in Mauritania

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Same-sex marriage in Mauritania is banned.

Current status
Since Jul 9, 1983
Banned
Same-sex marriage is not possible due to the laws on Homosexual activity
Details
Sources:
(See homosexual activity sources.)
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Censorship of LGBT issues in Mauritania

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Censorship of LGBT issues in Mauritania is imprisonment as punishment.

Current status
Since Jul 9, 1983
Imprisonment as punishment
The Mauritanian authorities uses provisions such as “indecency” and “incitation to debauchery” in the 1983 Penal Code on those who challenge the country with LGBT social movements.
Details
Sources:
www.humandignitytrust.org/c…
web.archive.org/web/2019093…
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Right to change legal gender in Mauritania

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Right to change legal gender in Mauritania is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
There is no legal framework for legal gender recognition.
Details
Sources:
cairo52.com/countries/Mauritania/
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Gender-affirming care in Mauritania

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Gender-affirming care in Mauritania is restricted.

Current status
Restricted
In Mauritania, medical gender transitions are not provided, although not explicitly banned either. There are no specific laws that allow or frame these transitions, and Mauritanian society does not legally recognize transgender people.
Details
Sources:
www.hrw.org/world-report/20…
cairo52.com/countries/Mauritania/
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Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Mauritania

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Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Mauritania is not legally recognized.

Current status
Not legally recognized
Mauritania does not legally recognise non-binary genders.
Details
Sources:
www.hrw.org/world-report/20…
www.thepinknews.com/2024/09…
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LGBT discrimination in Mauritania

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LGBT discrimination in Mauritania is no protections.

Current status
No protections
There are no known protections from discrimination provided to LGBTIQ+ people in Mauritania.
Details
Sources:
www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/mr0…
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
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LGBT employment discrimination in Mauritania

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LGBT employment discrimination in Mauritania is no protections.

Current status
No protections
There are no protections from discrimination in employment provided to LGBTIQ+ people in Mauritania.
Details
Sources:
www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/mr0…
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LGBT housing discrimination in Mauritania

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LGBT housing discrimination in Mauritania is no protections.

Current status
No protections
Homosexual activity is illegal in Mauritania since 1983, housing discrimination is N/A.
Details
Sources:
(See homosexual activity)
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Same-sex adoption in Mauritania

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Same-sex adoption in Mauritania is illegal.

Current status
Since Jul 9, 1983
Illegal
Same-sex adoption is not possible due to homosexual activities being punishable
Details
Sources:
(See homosexual activity sources.)
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Intersex infant surgery in Mauritania

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Intersex infant surgery in Mauritania is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
There is no ban on surgeries performed on intersex infants in Mauritania.
Details
Sources:
database.ilga.org/mauritania-lgbti
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Serving openly in military in Mauritania

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Serving openly in military in Mauritania is illegal.

Current status
Since Jul 8, 1983
Illegal
As homosexuality is illegal, serving in the military by LGBTQ+ individuals are also illegal
Details
Sources:
www.refugeelegalaidinformat…
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Blood donations by MSMs in Mauritania

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Blood donations by MSMs in Mauritania is banned (indefinite deferral).

Current status
Since Jan 1, 2016
Banned (indefinite deferral)
Homosexual activity is punishable by death in Mauritania, blood donations from MSM cannot be possible.
Details
Sources:
www.washingtonpost.com/news…
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Conversion therapy in Mauritania

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Conversion therapy in Mauritania is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
While there are no known reports of conversion therapy being performed in Mauritania, there is no evidence of a legislative or policy ban.
Details
Sources:
database.ilga.org/conversio…
www.state.gov/reports/2023-… - Section 6, paragraph 31
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Equal age of consent in Mauritania

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Equal age of consent in Mauritania is n/a.

Current status
Since Jul 9, 1983
N/A
Homosexual activity is illegal in Mauritania.
Details
Sources:
(See homosexual activity sources.)
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LGBT Rights by Region

View the LGBT laws in each individual region of Mauritania.

    Equality Index ?
    10 / 100
    Legal Rights
    4 / 100
    Public Opinion
    16 / 100

    Equality Rank

    View All
    #121
    Interest Rank based on Equaldex traffic ?

    Top Contributors

    Mauritania LGBT Organizations

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    Compare Mauritania

    29

    Compare with
    Benin

    22

    Compare with
    Burkina Faso

    65

    Compare with
    Cape Verde

    25

    Compare with
    Côte d’Ivoire

    3

    Compare with
    Gambia

    19

    Compare with
    Ghana

    16

    Compare with
    Guinea

    37

    Compare with
    Guinea-Bissau

    Common queries:
    • Is it illegal to be gay in Mauritania?
    • Is homosexuality legal in Mauritania?
    • Is gay marriage legal in Mauritania?
    Alternative names: Muritaniya/Mauritanie (local name)

    LGBT Rights in Western Africa

    29

    LGBT Rights in
    Benin

    22

    LGBT Rights in
    Burkina Faso

    65

    LGBT Rights in
    Cape Verde

    25

    LGBT Rights in
    Côte d’Ivoire

    3

    LGBT Rights in
    Gambia

    19

    LGBT Rights in
    Ghana

    16

    LGBT Rights in
    Guinea

    37

    LGBT Rights in
    Guinea-Bissau

    18

    LGBT Rights in
    Liberia

    8

    LGBT Rights in
    Mali

    27

    LGBT Rights in
    Niger

    8

    LGBT Rights in
    Nigeria

    86

    LGBT Rights in
    Saint Helena

    5

    LGBT Rights in
    Senegal

    14

    LGBT Rights in
    Sierra Leone

    9

    LGBT Rights in
    Togo