rights
"Truly toxic": Military junta in Niger arrests 40 in nationwide anti-gay purge
By Greg Owen at LGBTQ Nation
· July 2, 2026
· 3 min read
Niger, the former French colony in West Africa, is in the midst of a country-wide gay purge, with dozens of high-ranking officials and civilians arrested and imprisoned. Earlier this year, the government officially banned homosexuality in the country, imposing years-long sentences and fines on anyon
Key takeaway Subscribe to our Newsletter today The changes to the country's penal code are part of a wholesale "reform" of Niger's constitution imposed by the general-turned-president who deposed Niger's last government in a 2023 coup.
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Category: rights ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: LGBTQ Nation ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Niger, the former French colony in West Africa, is in the midst of a country-wide gay purge, with dozens of high-ranking officials and civilians arrested and imprisoned. Earlier this year, the government officially banned homosexuality in the country, imposing years-long sentences and fines on anyon
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by LGBTQ Nation and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Greg Owen at LGBTQ Nation. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .