Introduction and Overview
In Eritrea, same-sex relationships remain criminalised, and members of the LGBT community live under constant fear of arrest, harassment, and violence. The government maintains some of the harshest anti-LGBT laws in Africa, and the prevailing climate of secrecy and fear prevents open expression of identity.

Despite the absence of visible activism, reports from exiles and human rights organisations describe a pattern of persecution. LGBT Eritreans face stigma from society, abuse from authorities, and rejection within their families. With no legal protections or safe spaces, many are forced into silence or flight.

This article explores the lived experiences of LGBT Eritreans, the legal and social framework of repression, and the urgent need for reform and international protection.


Legal Framework and State Policy
Eritrean law criminalises consensual same-sex relationships, with punishments including imprisonment. Although prosecutions are often shrouded in secrecy, the threat of legal action alone is enough to suppress open expression of LGBT identities.

The government denies the existence of discrimination, framing homosexuality as incompatible with “Eritrean values.” At the same time, authorities reportedly conduct surveillance and arbitrary arrests of individuals suspected of same-sex relations. Detainees risk ill-treatment in custody, where torture and abuse are widespread.

There are no anti-discrimination laws protecting sexual orientation or gender identity. In practice, LGBT Eritreans are invisible within the legal system, unrecognised as a group entitled to protection.


Lived Experiences and Social Stigma
Accounts from Eritreans in exile reveal the immense social pressure faced by LGBT individuals. Families often disown those suspected of being gay or lesbian, considering it a source of shame. Community stigma compounds state repression, forcing most LGBT Eritreans to conceal their identities throughout their lives.

Reports describe harassment at the hands of police, verbal abuse in schools, and lack of access to healthcare for those suspected of being gay. Lesbian women are especially vulnerable, facing both gender-based violence and homophobia.

The fear is so pervasive that there are virtually no open LGBT networks or organisations inside Eritrea. The absence of safe spaces makes it impossible for people to seek solidarity, support, or advocacy.


Flight, Exile, and International Protection
Many LGBT Eritreans see no option but to flee the country. As with other groups, their journeys expose them to trafficking, abuse, and hardship. Yet even in exile, challenges remain: stigma from diaspora communities, limited recognition in asylum systems, and the psychological toll of secrecy and trauma.

Eritrean asylum seekers frequently cite risk of persecution for their sexuality in their claims. While some countries grant refugee protection on this basis, others require high burdens of proof, which can be difficult for individuals who have spent their lives in hiding.

This makes international advocacy critical: without external support, LGBT Eritreans remain invisible victims of one of Africa’s harshest regimes.


Accountability, Reform, and Conclusion
Eritrea’s criminalisation of LGBT identities and the associated abuse directly contravene international human rights law, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Steps forward must include:
- Decriminalisation: repeal laws criminalising consensual same-sex relationships.
- Legal protections: enact anti-discrimination safeguards covering sexual orientation and gender identity.
- Safe spaces and support: enable community organisations to operate freely.
- International action: ensure refugee protection for LGBT Eritreans, and apply diplomatic pressure on Eritrea to end persecution.

Until such changes are enacted, LGBT Eritreans will remain trapped in fear, unable to live openly or safely in their own country. Their stories—often silenced by both state and society—highlight the urgent need for justice and recognition of universal human dignity.