By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave a comment 0comments Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/human-rights-group-urges-lebanon-to-abolish-anti-lgbt-law Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Human rights group urges Lebanon to abolish anti-LGBT law World Apr 1, 2019 3:11 PM EDT BEIRUT — Human Rights Watch is urging Lebanon to abolish a law criminalizing homosexuality after the top military prosecutor declined to prosecute a “sodomy” case. The rights group called the decision, which was publicized Monday, a “positive development.” READ MORE: LGBTQ activists report new wave of detentions, torture and killings of gay people in Chechnya A decades-old law punishes sexual relations “contrary to nature” with up to one year in prison. But it is rarely enforced in Lebanon, which is less conservative than other countries in the region. Civilian courts have challenged the law in recent years, but this is the first such challenge from a military prosecutor. The English-language Daily Star reported Monday that a top military prosecutor declined to charge four service members for violating the law. He told the paper the law does not explicitly criminalize “sodomy.” His office was not available for comment. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Associated Press Associated Press
BEIRUT — Human Rights Watch is urging Lebanon to abolish a law criminalizing homosexuality after the top military prosecutor declined to prosecute a “sodomy” case. The rights group called the decision, which was publicized Monday, a “positive development.” READ MORE: LGBTQ activists report new wave of detentions, torture and killings of gay people in Chechnya A decades-old law punishes sexual relations “contrary to nature” with up to one year in prison. But it is rarely enforced in Lebanon, which is less conservative than other countries in the region. Civilian courts have challenged the law in recent years, but this is the first such challenge from a military prosecutor. The English-language Daily Star reported Monday that a top military prosecutor declined to charge four service members for violating the law. He told the paper the law does not explicitly criminalize “sodomy.” His office was not available for comment. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now