This article may require copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling. (June 2024) |
LGBTQ rights in Maldives | |
---|---|
Status | Illegal (unenforced)[1] |
Penalty | Up to 8 years imprisonment with possibility of lashings, house arrest; fines, and deportation for foreign nationals[2] |
Gender identity | No |
Military | No |
Discrimination protections | None |
Family rights | |
Recognition of relationships | No recognition of same-sex unions |
Adoption | No |
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) people are generally discriminated against in the Maldives.[3]
Maldivian law criminalizes homosexuality and prescribes criminal penalties for same-sex sexual conduct and relationships. The Penal Code of the Maldives invokes Islamic Shariah Law, which punishes homosexuality, usually through fines, prison sentences, and lashings.[4] Despite this, homosexuality is rarely prosecuted, but it remains a social taboo where sexual orientation discrimination occurs frequently, and those in the LGBT community are subject to discrimination, hate crimes, and other human rights violations.[5]
LGBT tourists are generally considered to be welcome at most private tourist islands, resorts and hotels. However, tourist guides warn that non-resort islands (local islands) are under Shariah Law and advise LGBT tourists to exercise caution when in public outside of hotels and privately owned tourist areas.[6]
ilga 2016
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).