Which countries impose the death penalty on gay people?

Around the world, queer people continue to face discrimination, violence, harassment and social stigma. While social movements have marked progress towards acceptance in many countries, in others homosexuality continues to be outlawed and penalised, sometimes with death.

According to Statistica Research Department, as of 2024, homosexuality is criminalised in 64 countries globally, with most of these nations situated in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. In 12 of these countries, the death penalty is either enforced or remains a possibility for private, consensual same-sex sexual activity.

In many cases, the laws only apply to sexual relations between two men, but 38 countries have amendments that include those between women in their definitions.

These penalisations represent abuses of human rights, especially the rights to freedom of expression, the right to develop one's own personality and the right to life. 

Which countries enforce the death penalty for homosexuality?

Saudi Arabia

The Wahabbi interpretation of Sharia law in Saudi Arabia maintains that acts of homosexuality should be disciplined in the same way as adultery - with death by stoning.

Homosexuality or nonconformant gender expression can also be punished by corporal punishment, flogging, imprisonment or forced 'conversion' therapy. 

In January 2022, three men were decapitated in Saudi Arabia after being convicted of 'sodomy, same-sex marriage and incitement to paedophilia,' as per the Saudi Ministry of Interior. 

In 2019, the Saudi Arabian government orchestrated a mass-execution of 37 men who were accused of espionage or terrorism, five of whom were also convicted of same-sex intercourse after one was tortured into confessing.

Iran

Homosexuality is illegal in Iran and carries severe punishment under the country's Islamic penal code. Consensual same-sex sexual activity is considered a crime, and those convicted can face imprisonment, flogging, and even the death penalty.

In 2022, for example, two men were convicted of having carried out homosexual relations and were hanged in prison. The death penalty does not apply to same-sex relations between women, but gay women are nevertheless punished with lashings and fines.

The Iranian government has justified its stance on homosexuality by citing religious and cultural reasons, claiming that homosexuality is a sin and goes against Islamic values. As a result, LGBTQ+ individuals in Iran face systemic discrimination, harassment and violence, both from the government and from society at large.

Yemen

In Yemen, homosexuality is illegal and punishable by imprisonment for up to three years.

Article 264 of the country's penal code criminalises "sodomy" and defines it as sexual intercourse between two men. The law also criminalises any act of "indecency" or "immorality" between individuals of the same sex, including between women. 

In addition to imprisonment, those who are found guilty of homosexuality may also face fines, public flogging or other forms of punishment, such as capital punishment.

Between 2012 and 2014, at least 35 people were executed or murdered for their gay identity by the Ansar al Sharia militant group, which is affiliated with al Qaeda.

In 2020, a trans woman was detained, tortured and whipped in chastisement of her gender expression before fleeing the country. 

In January 2024, nine men were sentenced to death by a Houthi court in Dhamar, northern Yemen, on charges of sodomy. Seven of these men were ordered to be executed by stoning, while two others were sentenced to crucifixion. The same court handed down prison sentences ranging from six months to ten years to 23 additional men accused of "homosexuality" and "spreading immorality."

In February 2024, when a court in Ibn, southern Yemen, sentenced 13 students to death for "spreading homosexuality." The court also sentenced three additional students to flogging on the same charges.

Brunei

The Syariah Penal Code in Brunei permits the administration of the death penalty for acts of sodomy; however, the country has had a moratorium on executions since 1996, and instead punishes homosexuality with whipping and up to 30 years of prison for men and 10 years for women.

Nigeria

Nigeria’s federal penal code imposes a penalty of 14 years of imprisonment for homosexuality. However, in 12 northern states, the regional penal code adopt Sharia law, which penalises homosexual acts with death or flogging.

While the death penalty is not commonly used in these states, queer people are often detained, tortured and extorted by authorities, and harassed by community members. 

Mauritania

In Mauritania, which follows a Sharia-based criminal code, sexual acts between people of the same sex are criminalised and may be punished with death.

However, Mauritanian officials have noted that there is a de facto moratorium on the death penalty, which has not been administered since 1987. Nevertheless, queer people in the country face persecution, imprisonment and harassment.

Learn about which countries still allow capital punishment. Image: Maria Oswalt.