Last edited: November 06, 2004


Armenia Decriminalizes Sex Between Men

Gay.com U.K., January 9, 2003

SUMMARY: The Armenian National Assembly has voted to adopt an updated criminal code on its second reading—removing an anti-gay law.

The Armenian National Assembly has voted to adopt an updated criminal code on its second reading—removing an anti-gay law.

According to the Association of Gay and Lesbian Armenians of France, the country has repealed article 116 of its criminal code, which punished sex between men with up to five years in prison.

Seven men were sentenced in Armenia for gay sex in 1996, four in 1997 and four in 1999.

In 2000 ILGA-Europe (an international NGO) lobbied the Council of Europe, demanding abolition of article 116 must be included in the list of preconditions to Armenia being considered for entry in the European Community.

AGLA France said it is encouraging news that Armenia has taken such a step and that gay rights will improve in the country.


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