LGBT rights in Mauritania

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Mauritania face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Mauritania.
Law regarding same-sex sexual activity
Shari'a law applies in Mauritania.
According to an unofficial English translation of Article 308 of the 1983 Criminal Code, "Any adult Muslim man who commits an impudent act against nature with an individual of his sex will face the penalty of death by public stoning." The official text of Article 308 in French provides, "Tout musulman majeur qui aura commis un acte impudique ou contre nature avec un individu de son sexe sera puni de peine de mort par lapidation publique." Mauritania claims, however, that no one has been executed for any criminal offense since at least 1990. The United States embassy in Mauritania said in December 2009 that it was "aware of no case ever being prosecuted under...