Egypt’s laws do not explicitly criminalize homosexuality. However, existing laws on public morality consider homosexuality as a social taboo. The 1951 law on prostitution prohibits “debauchery” or unspecified form of immorality which Egyptian courts have interpreted to include consensual and non-commercial sex between men.

We consider Egypt’s persecution of LGBT persons as contrary to its human rights obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Prosecuting individuals based on their sexual orientation is against fundamental human rights to protection against discrimination and to the right to privacy. Applying a law, which explicitly does not criminalize homosexuality, against LGBT persons is a form of discrimination.

Furthermore, we are concerned that the Egyptian government’s targeted repression against the LGBT community is political fuelled by the need for the government led-by President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi to gain legitimacy from conservative and extremist religious groups. We are appalled that human rights of gay persons are overshadowed by the political aspirations of the state.

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