Commonwealth

State

Domestic law[*]

Penalty

Ratified International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)[†]

Ratified Optional Protocol to the ICCPR[†]

Antigua and Barbuda

Article 12: Buggery

“(1) A person who commits buggery is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment –

(a) for life, if committed by an adult on a oinor;

(b) for fifteen years, if committed by an adult on another adult;

(c) for five years, if committed by a minor.

(2) In this section “buggery” means sexual intercourse per anum by a male person with a male person or by a male person with a female person.”

(a) life if committed by an adult on a minor;

(b) 15 years if committed by an adult on another adult;

(c) 5 years if committed by a minor.

–

–

“(1) A person who commits an act of serious indecency on or towards another is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment –

(a) for ten years, if committed on or towards a minor under sixteen years of age;

(b) for five years, if committed on or towards a person sixteen years of age or more,

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to an act of serious indecency committed in private between –

(a) a husband and his wife; or

(b) a male person and a female person each of whom is sixteen years of age or more;

(3) An act of “serious indecency” is an act, other than sexual intercourse (whether natural or unnatural), by a person involving the use of genital organ for the purpose of arousing or gratifying sexual desire.”

(a) 10 years if committed on or towards a minor under sixteen years of age;

(b) 5 years if committed on or towards a person sixteen years of age or more.

Bangladesh

Section 377: Unnatural offences

“Whoever voluntary has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with man, woman, or animal, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine.”

Explanation: Penetration is sufficient to constitute the carnal intercourse necessary to the offence described in this section.

Imprisonment for up to 10 years and a fine

6 Sep 2000

–

Barbados

Chapter 154Section 9: Buggery

“Any person who commits buggery is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for life.”

5 Jan 1973

5 Jan 1973

“(1) A person who commits an act of serious indecency on or towards another or incites another to commit that act with the person or with another person is guilty of
an offence and, if committed on or towards a person 16 years of age or more or if the person incited is of 16 years of age or more, is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of 10 years.

(2) A person who commits an act of serious indecency with or towards a child under the age of 16 or incites the child under that age to such an act with him or another, is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of 15 years.

(3) An act of “serious indecency” is an act, whether natural or unnatural by a person involving the use of the genital organs for the purpose of arousing or gratifying sexual desire.”

Brunei

Section 377: Unnatural offences

“Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman, or animal, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine. [S 12/97]Explanation: Penetration is sufficient to constitute the carnal intercourse necessary to the offence described in this section.”

–

–

Cameroon

“Whoever has sexual relations with a person of the same sex shall be punished with imprisonment from six months to five years and fine of from 20,000 to 200,000 francs.”

Fine of 20,000 to 200,000 francs

27 Jun 1984

27 Jun 1984

Dominica

Section 14: Gross Indecency


”(1) Any person who commits an act of gross indecency with another person is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to imprisonment for five years.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to an act of gross indecency committed in private between an adult male person and an adult female person, both of whom consent.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2) –
an act shall be deemed not to have been committed in private if it is committed in a public place; and
 a person shall be deemed not to consent to the commission of such an act if –

the consent is extorted by force, threats or fear of bodily harm or is obtained by false and fraudulent representations as to the nature of the act;

the consent is induced by the application or administration of any drug, matter or thing with intent to intoxicate or stupefy the person; or
that person is, and the other party to the act knows or has good reason to believe that the person is suffering from a mental disorder.

(4) In this section “gross indecency” is an act other than sexual intercourse (whether natural or unnatural) by a person involving the use of genital organs for the purpose of arousing or gratifying sexual desire.”

17 Jun 1993

–


“(1) A person who commits buggery is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to imprisonment for– twenty-five years, if committed by an adult on a minor;
ten years, if committed by an adult on another adult; or
 five years, if committed by a minor;
and, if the Court thinks it fit, the Court may order that the convicted person be admitted to a psychiatric hospital for treatment.

(2) Any person who attempts to commit the offence of buggery, or is guilty of an assault with the intent to commit the same is guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment for four years and, if
the Court thinks it fit, the Court may order that the convicted person be admitted to the psychiatric hospital for treatment.

(3) In this section “buggery” means sexual intercourse per anum by a male person with a male person or by a male person with a female person.”

(a) 25 years if committed by an adult on a minor;

(b) 10 years if committed by an adult on another adult;

(c) 5 years if committed by a minor.Admission to a psychiatric hospital if ordered by a court

(2) Imprisonment for 4 years.

Admission to a psychiatric hospital is ordered by a court

Ghana

Section 104: Unnatural Carnal Knowledge

“(1) Whoever has unnatural carnal knowledge—

(a) of any person of the age of sixteen years or over without his consent shall be guilty of a first degree felony and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not less than five years and not more than twenty-five years; or

(b) of any person of sixteen years or over with his consent is guilty of a misdemeanour; or

(c) of any animal is guilty of a misdemeanour.

(2) Unnatural carnal knowledge is sexual intercourse with a person in an unnatural manner or with an animal.”

According to Article 296(4) of the Criminal Procedural Code, a misdemeanor shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years.

(a) between 5 years and 25 years if there was no consent;

(b) up to 3 years if there was consent.

7 Sep 2000

7 Sep 2000

Grenada

“If any two persons are guilty of unnatural connexion, or if any person is guilty of an unnatural connexion with any animal, every such person shall be liable to imprisonment for ten years.”

6 Sep 1991

–

Guyana

Section 352: Committing acts of gross indecency with male person

“Any male person, who in public or private, commits, or 
is a party to the commission, or procures or attempts to procure the commission, by any male person, of an act of gross indecency with any other male person shall be guilty of misdemeanour and liable to imprisonment for two years.”

15 Feb 1977

5 Jan 1999

“Everyone who –

(a) attempts to commit buggery; or

(b) assaults any person with the intention to commit buggery; or

(c) being a male, indecently assaults any other male person,

shall be guilty of felony and liable to imprisonment for ten years.”

“Everyone who commits buggery, either with a human being or with any other living creature, shall be guilty of felony and liable to imprisonment for life.”

Jamaica

“Whosoever shall be convicted of the abominable crime of buggery [anal intercourse] committed either with mankind or with any animal, shall be liable to be imprisoned and kept to hard labour for a term not exceeding ten years.”

3 Oct 1975

–

“Whosoever shall attempt to commit the said abominable crime, or shall be guilty of any assault with intent to commit the same, or of any indecent assault upon any male person, shall be guilty of a misdemeanour, and being convicted thereof shall be liable to be imprisoned for a term not exceeding seven years, with or without hard labour.”

Article 78: Proof of Carnal Knowledge

“Whenever upon the trial of any offence punishable under this Act, it may be necessary to prove carnal knowledge, it shall not be necessary to prove the actual emission of seed in order to constitute a carnal knowledge, but the carnal knowledge shall be deemed complete upon proof of penetration only.”

“Any male person who, in public or private, commits, or is a party to the commission of, or procures or attempts to procure the commission by any male person of, any act of gross indecency with another male person, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and being convicted thereof shall be liable at the discretion of the court to be imprisoned for a term not exceeding 2 years, with or without hard labour.”

Kenya

Section 162: Unnatural Offences

“Any person who—

(a) has carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature; or

(b) has carnal knowledge of an animal; or

(c) permits a male person to have carnal knowledge of him or her against the order of nature; is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for fourteen years:

Provided that, in the case of an offence under paragraph (a), the offender shall be liable to imprisonment for twenty-one years if—

(i) the offence was committed without the consent of the person who was carnally known; or

(ii) the offence was committed with that person’s consent but the consent was obtained by force or by means of threats or intimidation of some kind, or by fear of bodily harm, or by means of false representations as to the nature of the act.”

Imprisonment for 21 years if committed without consent or if consent was obtained by force

1 May 1996

–

“Any person who attempts to commit any of the offences specified in section 162 is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for seven years.”

“Any male person who, whether in public or private, commits any act of gross indecency with another male person, or procures another male person to commit any act of gross indecency with him, or attempts to procure the commission of any such act by any male person with himself or with another male person, whether in public or private, is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for five years.”

Kiribati

Section 153: Unnatural offences

“Any person who-

(a) commits buggery with another person or with an animal; or

(b) permits a male person to commit buggery with him or her, shall be guilty of a felony, and shall be liable to imprisonment for 14 years.”

–

–

“Any person who attempts to commit any of the offences it specified in the last preceding section, or who is guilty of any assault with intent to commit the same, or any indecent assault upon any male person shall be guilty of a felony, and shall be liable to imprisonment for 7 years.”

“Any male person who, whether in public or private, commits any act of gross indecency with another male person, or procures another male person to commit any act of gross indecency with him, or attempts to procure the commission of any such act by any male person with himself or with another male person, whether in public or private, shall be guilty of a felony, and shall be liable to imprisonment for 5 years.”

Lesotho

Homosexuality is not a crime under the Penal Code Act 2010.

9 Sep 1992

6 Sep 2000

Malawi

Section 153: Unnatural offences


“Anyone who –

(a) has carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature; or

(b) has carnal knowledge of any animal; or

(c) permits a male person to have carnal knowledge of him or her against the order of nature,

shall be guilty of a felony and shall be liable to imprisonment for fourteen years, with or without corporal punishment.”

22 Dec 1993

11 Jun 1996

“
Any person who attempts to commit any of the offences specified in the last preceding section shall be guilty of a felony and
 shall be liable to imprisonment for seven years, with or without corporal punishment.”

“Any male person who, whether in public or private, commits any act of gross indecency with another male person, or procures another male person to commit any act of gross indecency with him, or attempts to procure the commission of any such act
by any male person with himself or with another male person, whether in public or private, shall be guilty of a felony and shall be liable to imprisonment for five years, with or without corporal punishment.”

Any female person who, whether in public or private, commits “any act of gross indecency with another female” shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a prison term of five years.

Malaysia

Unnatural OffencesSection 377A: Carnal intercourse against the order of nature

“Any person who has sexual connection with another person by the introduction of the penis into the anus or mouth of the other person is said to commit carnal intercourse against the order of nature.

Explanation:
 Penetration is sufficient to constitute the sexual connection necessary to the offence described in this section.”

Section 377B: Punishment for committing carnal intercourse against the order of nature.

“Whoever voluntarily commits carnal intercourse against the order of nature shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to twenty years, and shall also be liable to whipping.”

–

–

“Whoever voluntarily commits carnal intercourse against the order of nature on another person without the consent, or against the will, of the other person, or by putting other person in fear of death or hurt to the person or any other person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term of not less than five years and not more.”

“Any person who, in public or private, commits, or abets
the commission of, or procures or attempts to procure the commission by any person of, any act of gross indecency with another person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years.”

Fine of RM5,0006 lashes

Maldives

Women: house arrest for 9 months to 1 year.

19 Sep 2006

19 Sep 2006

Mauritius

“(1) Any person who is guilty of the crime of sodomy or bestiality shall be liable to penal servitude for a term not exceeding 5 years.”

12 Dec 1973

12 Dec 1973

Namibia

28 Nov 1994

28 Nov 1994

Nigeria

Section 214: Unnatural offences

“Any person who-

(1) has carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature; or

(2) has carnal knowledge of an animal; or

(3) permits a male person to have carnal knowledge of him or her against the order of nature;
is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for fourteen years.”

29 Jul 1993

–

“Any person who attempts to commit any of the offences defined in the last preceding section is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for seven years. The offender cannot be arrested without warrant.” 

“Any male person who, whether in public or private, commits any act of gross indecency with another
male person, or procures another male person to commit any act of gross indecency with him, or attempts to procure the commission of any such act by any male person with himself or with another male person, whether in public or private, is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for three years. The offender cannot be arrested without warrant.”

Note: several Northern Nigerian states have adopted Islamic Sharia laws, criminalizing sexual activities between persons of the same sex. The maximum penalty for such acts between men is death penalty, while the maximum penalty for such acts between women is a whipping and/or imprisonment. These laws differ from the federal law, as most of these prohibit also sexual relations between women.

The states which have adopted such laws are:Bauchi (the year 2001), Borno (2000), Gombe (2001), Jigawa (2000), Kaduna (2001), Kano (2000), Katsina (2000), Kebbi (2000), Niger (2000), Sokoto (2000), Yobe (2001) and Zamfara (2000).

(1) “A … civil union entered into between persons of same sex: (a) is prohibited in Nigeria.”

Section 5

(1) “A person who enters into a … civil union commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of 14 years imprisonment.”

“The public show of same sex amorous relationship directly or indirectly is prohibited”.

Section 5(2)

“A person who … directly or indirectly makes public show of same sex amorous relationship in Nigeria commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of 10 years imprisonment.”

Pakistan

“Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than two years nor more than ten years, and shall also be liable to a fine.”

Explanation: Penetration is sufficient to constitute the carnal intercourse necessary to the offence described in this section.

Imprisonment for a period between 2 years and 10 years and a fine

23 Jun 2010

–

Papua New Guinea

“(1) A person who–

(a) sexually penetrates any person against the order of nature; or

(b) sexually penetrates an animal; or

(c) permits a male person to sexually penetrate him or her against the order of nature, is guilty of a crime.”

21 Jul 2008

–

(2) “A person who attempts to commit an offence against Subsection (1) is guilty of a crime.”

“(1) A male person who, whether in public or private–

(a) commits an act of gross indecency with another male person; or

(b) procures another male person to commit an act of gross indecency with him; or

(c) attempts to procure the commission of any such act by a male person with himself or with another male person, is guilty of a misdemeanour.”

Saint Kitts and Nevis

The Revised Laws prescribe terms of imprisonment
 of up to ten years, with or without hard labor, upon conviction for engaging in anal sex, described as “the abominable crime of buggery.”

–

–

Saint Lucia

Section 132: Gross indecency

“(1) Any person who commits an act of gross indecency with another person commits an offence and is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for ten years or on summary conviction to five years.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to an act of gross indecency committed in private between an adult male person and an adult female person, both of whom consent.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2) —

(a) an act shall be deemed not to have been committed in private if it is committed in a public place; and

(b) a person shall be deemed not to consent to the commission of such an act if —

(i) the consent is extorted by force, threats or fear of bodily harm or is obtained by false and fraudulent representations as to the nature of the act;

(ii) the consent is induced by the application or administration of any drug, matter or thing with intent to intoxicate or stupefy the person; or

(iii) that person is, and the other party to the act knows or
has good reason to believe that the person is suffering from a mental disorder.

(4) In this section “gross indecency” is an act other than
sexual intercourse (whether natural or unnatural) by a person involving the use of the genital organs for the purpose of arousing or gratifying sexual desire.”

Imprisonment for 5 years on summary conviction

–

–

“(1) A person who commits buggery commits
an offence and is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for —

(a) life, if committed with force and without the consent of the other person;

(b) ten years, in any other case.”

Imprisonment for 10 years in any other case

“(2) Any person who attempts to commit buggery, or commits an assault with intent to commit buggery, commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for five years.

(3) In this section “buggery” means sexual intercourse per anus by a male person with another male person.”

Saint Vincent & The Grenadines

Section 146


“Any person who —

(a) commits buggery with any other person;

(b) commits buggery with an animal; or

(c) permits any person to commit buggery with him or her; is guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment for ten years.”

9 Nov 1981

9 Nov 1981

“Any person, who in public or private, commits an act of gross indecency with another person of the same sex, or procures or attempts to procure another person of the same sex to commit an act of gross indecency with him or her, is guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment for five years.”

Samoa

Section 67: Sodomy

“(1) A person who commits sodomy is liable:

(a) where the act of sodomy is committed on a female, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven (7) years; or

(b) where the act of sodomy is committed on a male, and at the time of the act that male is under the age of 16 years and the offender is of or over the age of 21 years, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven (7) years; or

(c) in any other case, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five (5) years.

(2) Sodomy is complete upon penetration.

(3) It is no defence to a charge under this section that the other party consented.”

Imprisonment for up to 7 years if committed on a male under the age of 16 years and if the offender is over the age of 21.

Otherwise, imprisonment for up to 5 years.

15 Feb 2008

–

“A person is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five (5) years who:

(a) attempts to commit sodomy; or

(b) assaults any person with intent to commit sodomy”

Sierra Leone

Section 61 of the above named Act criminalizes buggery and bestiality, with a penalty of life imprisonment.

23 Aug 1996

23 Aug 1996

Singapore

Section 377A: Outrages on decency

“Any male person who, in public or private, commits, or abets the commission of, or procures or attempts to procure the commission by any male person of, any act of gross indecency with another male person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 2 years.”

–

–

Solomon Islands

Section 160: Unnatural offences

“Any person who-

(a) commits buggery with another person or with an animal; or

(b) permits a male person to commit buggery with him or her, shall be guilty of a felony, and shall be liable to imprisonment for fourteen years.”

–

–

“Any person who attempts to commit any of the offences specified in the last preceding section, or who is guilty of
any assault with intent to commit the same, or any indecent assault indecent assaults upon any male person shall be guilty of a felony, and shall be liable to imprisonment for seven years.”

“Any person who, whether in public or private –

(a) commits any act of gross indecency with another of the same sex;

(b) procures another of the same sex to commit any act of gross indecency; or

(c) attempts to procure the commission of any act of gross indecency by persons of the same sex, shall be guilty of a felony and be liable to imprisonment for five years.”

Sri Lanka

Article 365: Unnatural offences

“
Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order
of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend ten years, and shall also be punished with fine and where the offence is committed by a person over eighteen years of
 age in respect of any person under sixteen years of age shall
 be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term not less than ten years and not exceeding twenty years and with fine and shall also be ordered to pay compensation of an amount determined by court to the person in respect of whom the offence was committed for injuries caused to such person.”

Explanation – penetration is sufficient to constitute the carnal intercourse necessary to the offence described in this section.

Fine

If committed by a person over the age of 18 towards a person under the age of 16:

• Imprisonment for a period between 10 years and 20 years;
• Fine; and
• Order to pay compensation

11 Jun 1980

3 Oct 1997

“
Any person who, in public or private, commits, or is a party
to the commission of, or procures or attempts to procure the commission by any person of any act of gross indecency with another person, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years or with a fine, or with both and where the offence is committed by a person over eighteen (18) years of age in respect of any person under sixteen (16) years of age shall be punished worth rigorous imprisonment for a term not less than 10 years and not exceeding 20 years and with a fine and shall also be ordered to pay compensation of amount determined by court to the person in respect of whom the offence was committed for the injuries caused to such a person.”

If offence is committed by a person over the age of 18 in respect of a person under the age of 16:

• Imprisonment for a period between 10 years and 20 years;
• Fine; and
• Order to pay compensation

Swaziland

26 Mar 2004

–

Tanzania

Section 154: Unnatural of offences


“(1) Any person who–

(a) has carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature; or

(b) has carnal knowledge of an animal; or

(c) permits a male person to have carnal knowledge of him or her against the order of nature, commits an offence,
and is liable to imprisonment for life and in any case to imprisonment for a term of not less than thirty years.

(2) Where the offence under subsection (1) of this section is committed to a child under the age of ten years the offender shall be sentenced to life imprisonment.”

11 Jun 1976

–

“Any person who attempts to commit any of the offences specified under section 154 commits an offence and shall on conviction be sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not less than twenty years.”


”Any person who, in public or private commits, or is party to the commission of, or procures or attempts to procure the commission by any person of, any act of gross indecency with another person, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year and not exceeding five years or to a fine not less than one hundred thousand shillings and not exceeding three hundred thousand shillings; save that where the offence is committed
 by a person of eighteen years of age or more in respect of any person under eighteen years of 
age, a pupil of a primary school or a student of a secondary school the offender shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not less than ten years, with corporal punishment, and shall also be ordered to pay compensation of an amount determined by the court to the person in respect of whom the offence was committed for any injuries caused to that person.”

If offence is committed in respect of a person under the age of 18 years, or a primary or secondary school student:

• Imprisonment for a minimum of 10 years with corporal punishment; and
• Order to pay compensation

Tonga

Section 136: Sodomy and bestiality

“Whoever shall be convicted of the crime of sodomy with another person or bestiality with any animal shall be liable at the discretion of the Court to be imprisoned for any period not exceeding ten years and such animal shall be killed by a public officer.” (Substituted by Act 9 of 1987.)

–

–

“Whoever shall attempt to commit the said abominable crime of sodomy or shall be guilty of an assault with intent to commit the same or of any indecent assault upon any male person shall be liable at the direction of the Court to imprisonment for any term not exceeding 10 years.”

Section 140: Evidence

“On the trial of any person upon a charge of sodomy or carnal knowledge it shall not be necessary to prove the actual emission of seed but the offence shall be deemed complete on proof of penetration only.”

“Whenever any male person shall be convicted of any offence against sections 106, 107, 115, 118, 121, 122, 125, 132, 136 and 139 of this Act the Court may, in its discretion 
in lieu of or in addition to any sentence of imprisonment authorised under this Act order the person so convicted to be whipped in accordance with the provisions of section 31 of this Act.” (Substituted by Act 9 of 1987.)

Tuvalu

Section 153: Unnatural offences

“Any person who-

(a) commits buggery with another person or with an animal; or

(b) permits a male person to commit buggery with him or her, shall be guilty of a felony, and shall be liable to imprisonment for 14 years.”

–

–

“Any person who attempts to commit any of the offences specified in the last proceeding section, or who is guilty of any assault with intent to commit the same, or any indecent assault upon any male person shall be guilty of a felony, and shall be liable to imprisonment for 7 years.”

“Any male person who, whether in public or private, commits any act of gross indecency with another male person, or procures another male person to commit any act of gross indecency with him, or attempts to procure the commission of any such act by any male person with himself or with another male person, whether in public or private, shall be guilty of a felony, and shall be liable to imprisonment for 5 years.”

Uganda

Section 145: Unnatural offences

“Any person who—

(a) has carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature;

(b) has carnal knowledge of an animal; or

(c) permits a male person to have carnal knowledge of him or her against the order of nature, commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for life.”

21 Jun 1995

14 Nov 1995

“Any person who attempts to commit any of the offences specified in section145 commits a felony and is liable to imprisonment for seven years.”

“Any person who, whether in public or in private, commits any act of gross indecency with another person or procures another person to commit any act of gross indecency with him or her or attempts to procure the commission of any such act by any person with himself or herself or with another person, whether in public or in private, commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for seven years.”

Zambia

Section 155: Unnatural offences

“Any person who-

(a) has carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature; or

(b) has carnal knowledge of an animal; or

(c) permits a male person to have carnal knowledge of him or her against the order of nature;
commits a felony and liable, upon conviction, to imprisonment for a term not less than fifteen years and may be liable to imprisonment for life:

Provided that where a person-

(i) has carnal knowledge of a child against the order of nature;

(ii) causes a child to have carnal knowledge of an animal; or

(iii) permits a male person to have carnal knowledge of 
a male or female child against the order of nature; that person commits an offence and is liable, upon conviction, to imprisonment for not less than twenty-five years and may be liable to imprisonment for life.”

Imprisonment for a minimum of 25 years if committed on a child

10 Apr 1984

10 Apr 1984

“Any person who attempts to commit any of the offences specified in section one hundred and fifty-five commits a felony and is liable, upon conviction of not less than seven years but not exceeding fourteen years.”

“(1) Any male who, whether in public or private, commits any act of gross indecency with a male child or person, or procures a male child or person to commit any act of gross indecency with him, or attempts to procure the commission of any such act by any male person with himself or with another male child or person, whether in public or private, commits a felony and is liable, upon conviction, to imprisonment for a term of not less than seven years and not exceeding fourteen years.”

(2) “Any female who, whether in public or private, commits any act of gross indecency with a female child or person, or procures a female child or person to commit any act of gross indecency with her, or attempts to procure the commission of any such act by any female person with himself or with another female child or person, whether in public or private, commits a felony and is liable, upon conviction, to imprisonment for a term of not less than seven years and not exceeding fourteen years.”

(3) “A child who, whether in public or private, commits any
act of gross indecency with another child of the same sex or attempts to procure the commission of any such act by any person with the child’s self or with another child or person
of the same sex, whether in public or private, commits an offence and is liable, to such community service or counseling as the court may determine in the best interests of the child.”