Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in Mauritania face severe legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBTQ residents.

[4] According to the Article 308 of the 1983 Criminal Code, "Any adult Muslim man who commits an impudent or unnatural act with an individual of his sex will face the penalty of death by public stoning" (Rajm).

[2][7] Women face prison between three months to two years imprisonment, and a fine of 5,000 to 60,000 Mauritanian Ouguiya.

[8] The U.S. Department of State's 2011 human rights report found that, "There were no criminal prosecutions during the year.

There were no organizations advocating for sexual orientation or gender-identity rights, but there were no legal impediments to the operation of such groups.