Homophobic Tunisia invokes sharia law in bid to shut down LGBTQ rights group

Judicial harassment and rise in arrests under anti-sodomy law add to climate of tension and fear.

One of the Arab world’s most visible advocacy groups defending the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning and intersex people is facing closure following legal threats by the government.

Association Shams has been officially operating in Tunisia since 2015, helping the country’s LGBTQ community repeal article 230 of its penal code, a French colonial law, which criminalises homosexuality with up to three years in jail.

The government failed to permanently suspend Shams’ activities in a 2016 lawsuit, but is appealing the ruling. A hearing is scheduled for Friday.