Gay rights in pakistan

Pakistan does not have civil rights laws to prohibit discrimination or harassment on the basis of sexual orientation. In a historic ruling, the Supreme Court of Pakistan ruled in favour of civil rights for transgender citizens, and further court rulings upheld and increased these rights.

A law that provides legal recognition to transgender persons and prohibits discrimination and harassment has stirred a new debate in the conservative South Asian country where homosexuality is still a crime. The Transgender Persons Protection of Rights Act of guarantees citizens their right to self-identify as male, female or a blend of both genders, and to have their identity registered on all official documents, including passports, national identification cards, driving licenses and educational certificates. Though the act was passed by parliament in May , new debates on social media have resurfaced in recent weeks, with critics opposing a specific clause that stipulates that "a transgender person shall have a right to be recognized as per his or her self-perceived gender identity.

Interested in LGBT rights in Pakistan? Whether you're planning a trip or simply curious, our comprehensive guide covers laws, acceptance, and more.

This provision carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Only men are criminalised under this law. While there is a possibility that same-sex activity is prohibited by the Zina provisions of the Hudood Ordinance , which criminalise all sexual conduct outside of marriage with the death penalty, there is no evidence that these laws are levied against LGBT people and this interpretation of the law is contested.

LGBTQ rights in Pakistan It is illegal to be a part of the LGBTQ community in Pakistan, and being a member can result in various punishments given out by the state. [3] Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people in Pakistan face legal and social difficulties and persecution compared to non-LGBTQ persons.

Legal Gender Recognition Possible? In contrast, transgender people, locally known as khawaja sara, are seen in a more complex way, both as bearers of good fortune and as outcasts. Consequently, their human rights are protected to a somewhat greater degree.

Interested in LGBT rights in Pakistan? Whether you're planning a trip or simply curious, our comprehensive guide covers laws, acceptance, and more.

In Ghana, in a speech calling for "all people be treated equally" she appeared to criticise a bill before the country's parliament which criminalises advocacy for gay rights and proposes jail terms for those that identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. The country's Speaker Alban Bagbin later called her remarks "undemocratic" and urged lawmakers not to be "intimidated by any person". There are 64 countries that have laws that criminalise homosexuality , and nearly half of these are in Africa.