Joint Statement to Northern Cyprus Regarding Arrests Under Article 171

On 14, 15 and 16 October 2011 two groups of men were arrested in the Northern Cyprus under Article 171 of the 1929 Criminal Code, which criminalizes male homosexuality. Article 171, brought in under British colonial rule, is the only legal provision in force in Council of Europe territory that criminalises consensual adult male same-sex sexual activity and provides for a punishment for up to five years in prison. In 1998, the parliament of the Republic of Cyprus decriminalized consensual same-sex conduct and Article 171 of the Criminal Code was repealed. On 14, 15 and 16 October 2011 two groups…

© Human Rights Watch - mercredi 26 octobre 2011