LAW: What are the laws and policies like for LGBTI people in the Maldives?

Are male to male sexual relationships legal?
Not Legal 

Are female to female sexual relations legal?
Not Legal


If unclear, how so?
This is a very small country, in which being Muslim is necessary for citizenship. We have almost no information on LGBTI life in the country.


What is the name of this law? (if applicable - please give chapter and section)
The Penal Code of Maldives does not regulate sexual conduct.


What is the full text of this law?
The Maldives was a British protectorate. One source says that it was given the Indian Penal Code of 1960 with its prohibition of "carnal knowledge against the order of nature..." However an earlier entry on this site said that the Penal Code of Maldives does not regulate sexual conduct.

It is instead regulated by uncodified Muslim Sharia law, which criminalises homosexual acts between both men and between women. For men the punishment is banishment for nine months to one year or a whipping of 10 to 30 strokes, while the punishment for women is house arrest for nine months to one year. There have been reports of women being sentenced to a whipping as well for lesbian acts.

Does the law prohibit discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation?
No

Is there any type of legal recognition for same sex relationships?
No

What types of same sex partnerships are recognized?
No law

Can same sex couples adopt children together?
No


via ilga

Posted in: Politics / Religion