Ouagadougou: The parliament in Burkina Faso has passed a law that prohibits ‘homosexual practices,’ with penalties including imprisonment for up to five years. Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala announced the decision late on Monday.

According to Ghana News Agency, the new legislation sets a minimum penalty of two years’ imprisonment along with fines. In addition to these measures, repeat offenders without local citizenship are subject to expulsion from the country. The law marks a significant legal shift in Burkina Faso’s approach to homosexuality.