LGBT rights in the Maldives

LGBT rights in Maldives Maldives

Same-sex sexual activity legal? Illegal[1]
Penalty:
 Up to death.[1] Shariah law applies. Whippings, house arrest, deportation, and up to 6 years in jail. Vigilante attacks and executions occur.
Gender identity/expression illegal

Same-sex relationships are illegal in the Maldives under Sharia law, though not under national law. In addition, the Maldives was one of the initially 57 (now 54) signatory nations to a statement opposing the UN declaration on sexual orientation and gender identity which was introduced for the General Assembly in 2008 originally and remains open for signature. The country further opposed a landmark LGBT rights resolution in the United Nations Human Rights Council, proposed by the Republic of South Africa and backed by most developed countries which passed in 2011.

In April 2013 the first openly gay and secular blogger in the Maldives, Hilath Rasheed was attacked.[2]

Recognition of same-sex relationships

The Maldives does not recognize same-sex marriages, civil unions, or domestic partnerships.

The section 410 of the Penal Code, in force since July 2015, criminalizes same-sex marriage.[1][3]

Discrimination protections

There is no legal protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Summary table

Same-sex sexual activity legal (Penalty: Up to death. Sharia law applies. Whippings, house arrest, deportation, and up to 6 years in jail. Vigilante attacks and executions occur.)
Equal age of consent
Anti-discrimination laws in employment only
Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services
Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech)
Recognition of same-sex couples (e.g. Civil Partnerships)
Adoption by same-sex couples
Gays allowed to serve in the military
Right to change legal gender
Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples
Access to IVF for lesbians
MSMs allowed to donate blood

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 State-sponsored Homophobia A world survey of laws prohibiting same sex activity between consenting adults
  2. ↑ Darker side of the Maldives: Public lashings, religious extremists and a gay blogger with his throat slashed, The Belfast Telegraph, Eric Randolph, 18 June 2013
  3. ↑ LAW NO 6/2014 PENAL CODE
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