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country has repealed article 116 of its criminal code, which punished sex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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