GayLawNet^®

Government

In July 2008, a set of proposals approved by Bahrain's parliament targeting homosexual activity in the country should be implemented, according to a politician in the Gulf state [R1.1].

In April 2008, politicians called for tougher restrictions against gays, including the deportation of foreigners suspected of being homosexual [R1.2].

In July 2002, the government of Bahrain began a cracking down on homosexual migrant workers [R1.3].

Legislature

In October 2008, Al Menbar MP Shaikh Mohammed Khalid Mohammed wanted the government to begin a number of initiatives designed to rid the country of gay people [R1.1].

In April 2008, the government of Bahrain was reported to be taking action to stamp out homosexuals in the country [R1.2].

In a wide ranging set of proposals MP's have set out a number of initiatives designed to rid the country of homosexuals.

Parliament also demanded that the Interior Ministry stop granting any residence permits to foreign homosexuals. [R1.2].

National

Bahrain is an Islamic state and Islamic law prohibits consensual sex between same-sex couples [R1.1].

Homosexuality has been considered illegal in Bahrain since 1956 when, as part of the British Empire, it was given the Indian Penal Code [R1.2].

Homosexuals can be given up to 10 years in prison though this is rarely put into practice [R1.2].

The Penal Code of 1976, Legislative Decree No. 15 makes "Buggery is an illegal act punished by 10 years of imprisonment maximum." [R1.3].