Syria

Article 520 of the penal code of 1949, prohibits having homosexual relations, i.e. "carnal relations against the order of nature", and provides for up to 3 three-years imprisonment, although the law is not strictly enforced. In 2004 a Syrian woman named Hiba came forward as a transgender woman who had been given permission to have a sex change operation. n 2003 Syria, in the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, voted to postpone a United Nations draft resolution on human rights and sexual orientation. The vote was 24-17. The draft resolution would have the Commission express deep concern at the occurrence of violations of human rights in the world against persons on the grounds of their sexual orientation; stress that human rights and fundamental freedoms were the birthright of all human beings, and that the universal nature of these rights and freedoms was beyond question; and call upon all States to promote and protect the human rights of all persons regardless of their sexual orientation.

Legislation

Male to male relationships: Illegal

Punishments for male to male relationships: Yes

Female to female relationships: Illegal

Same sex marriage or civil union: No

Discrimination protection

NRHI inclusive of sexual orientation: No

Constitution protection: No

Employment protection: No

Hate crimes law: No

Incitement: No

Other protection: No

LGBT organizations/networks

None found as of December 2017.