Official Name: Syrian Arab Republic
Population: 19,405,000
Capital: Damascus - Pop. 4,000,000
Area: 185,180 sq. km. / 115,066 sq. miles.
Language: Arabic
Religion: Muslim
Status of Homosexuality: Illegal (erratically enforced)
Telephone Country Code: 963
The modern state of Syria was formerly a French mandate and attained independence in 1946, but can trace its roots to the Eblan civilization in the third millennium BC. Homosexuality in Syria is still considered illegal. However, instances of persecution are limited to nonexistent. Article 520 of the penal code of 1949, prohibits having homosexual relations, i.e. "carnal knowledge against the order of nature", and provides for a possible three-years imprisonment. However, the law is de-facto suspended. However, the Syrian authorities can use individuals' sexual orientation to blackmail, harass and eventually abuse members of the LGBT community. Law enforcement officers have zero tolerance toward the LGBT community. Also see: Islam and Homosexuality
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