LGBT rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Homosexuality is legal in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but is taboo in some parts of society.

Legality

Homosexual acts are legal in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The age of consent is uniformly set at 18 years. In the history of the country passed to the extent it was investigated, never explicit criminalization provisions for homosexual acts. Prior to the founding of the state in 1960, the Democratic Republic of the Congo belonged to the European colonial power Belgium. There, the decriminalization of homosexual acts had already taken place in 1794. In the criminal liability provisions of the Democratic Republic of Congo there is only a very indefinite article 172 of the violations of public morality with 3 months punished to 5 years. Since 2014, the Parliament debated a bill of Deputies Steve Mbikayi, after which homosexual acts are punishable. It should threaten a prison sentence of up to five years.

Anti-discrimination laws

There is no anti-discrimination law in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Recognition of homosexual couples

State recognition of same-sex couples is not in the form of same-sex marriage or in a registered partnership.

Social situation

A small, hidden LGBT community is found only in large cities, especially in the capital, Kinshasa. Due to the population explosion, the high population poverty and the economic problems in the Democratic Republic of the Congo people's lives is very difficult and a community structure as it exists in the countries of Europe, Australia / New Zealand or North and South America, does not exist. The government 's territorial sovereignty is particularly no longer exists in the east of the country. Due to their instability, the country is also known as ruinous state.