Infidelity, or the act of engaging in a romantic or sexual relationship outside of a committed marriage, has often been viewed as a moral failing or betrayal.
However, in some countries, it is not just a social taboo but also a legal offense. These countries have laws that make adultery a punishable crime, and in some cases, the penalties are severe.
While these laws may stem from cultural, religious, or historical factors, they can have a profound impact on people’s lives, affecting everything from personal relationships to legal consequences.
Below, we explore 15 countries where infidelity is illegal and discuss the laws and their implications.
1. Philippines
In the Philippines, infidelity is a criminal offense. Under the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines, both men and women can be prosecuted for committing adultery or concubinage (for men who engage in extramarital affairs).
Women who commit adultery face a harsher punishment, often including imprisonment, while men can face lighter sentences.
The law is grounded in the country’s Catholic traditions, where marriage is considered sacred. However, the law’s gender biases have been heavily criticized, and the issue of infidelity remains a contentious topic in the Philippines.
2. Indonesia
In Indonesia, adultery is illegal under the country’s criminal code, particularly in regions that enforce Sharia law, such as Aceh.
Adultery can result in flogging or even stoning in some areas, though enforcement is not uniform across the country.
While the Indonesian government does not criminalize infidelity nationwide, the application of Islamic law in certain provinces brings severe consequences for those caught engaging in extramarital affairs.
In the past, public outcry has led to reforms in these laws, though the issue is still controversial.
3. Taiwan
Taiwan used to have a law that criminalized adultery, punishable by up to four months in prison. The law was repealed in 2020 after a court ruling that found the law unconstitutional, claiming it infringed on personal freedoms.
However, there remains a significant portion of the population that supports the retention of such laws, indicating that cultural views on infidelity in Taiwan still hold considerable weight.
Though no longer criminalized, infidelity can still play a role in divorce proceedings, with the offending party sometimes facing penalties in the division of assets.
4. Brunei
In Brunei, a strict interpretation of Sharia law criminalizes adultery, and it is considered a capital offense. Those found guilty of committing adultery can be sentenced to stoning.
However, following international condemnation, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei announced in 2019 that the law would not be enforced.
Despite this, the legal framework still technically allows for stoning as a punishment, raising concerns about the future of such laws in the country.
5. Nigeria
Nigeria’s legal system consists of both secular and Sharia laws. In the northern states governed by Sharia, adultery is a criminal offense punishable by stoning or flogging.
While these laws are not always strictly enforced, there have been high-profile cases of people being arrested and sentenced for adultery.
In the past, some international human rights organizations have intervened to overturn such sentences, citing the inhumane nature of the punishment.
6. Afghanistan
Under the Taliban’s interpretation of Sharia law, adultery is a serious criminal offense in Afghanistan. Both men and women caught in adulterous relationships face severe punishments, including flogging and stoning.
Women, in particular, face harsher penalties, often subjected to public executions. The Taliban’s return to power in 2021 has reinforced these strict laws, bringing back such punishments in parts of the country where the group’s influence is strong.
The global community has expressed outrage over the Taliban’s treatment of women and the enforcement of such laws.
7. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Sharia law, under which adultery is a punishable offense.
The penalties for committing infidelity in Saudi Arabia can include flogging, imprisonment, and even stoning.
Convictions require the testimony of four male witnesses or a confession from the offender. The laws are heavily gendered, with women being punished more severely than men in many cases.
This legal approach has drawn widespread criticism from human rights organizations for being overly harsh and infringing on individual freedoms.
8. Pakistan
Pakistan’s legal system is a mixture of secular and Islamic law. Under the Hudood Ordinance, adultery is a criminal offense that can result in imprisonment.
However, the 2006 Protection of Women Act has softened some of the penalties for women. In the case of a woman accused of adultery, the evidence needed to secure a conviction has been made more stringent, and adultery is no longer automatically punishable by stoning.
Despite these reforms, adultery is still a criminal act in Pakistan, and the law remains controversial, particularly in rural areas.
9. Sudan
In Sudan, the Criminal Act of 1991 criminalizes adultery and prescribes stoning as a punishment. The law applies to both men and women, though enforcement has been less consistent in recent years. Public executions have been rare, but the law still stands.
The 2019 Sudanese revolution, which overthrew the long-standing dictatorship of Omar al-Bashir, has led to some calls for reform, but traditional interpretations of Sharia law continue to influence the country’s legal framework.
10. Uganda
While not universally enforced, Uganda has laws that make adultery a criminal offense. In the past, there have been instances where individuals have been arrested and interrogated for suspected adultery, particularly in rural areas where traditional values are strong.
The law is rarely used in practice, but the presence of such a law can affect divorce settlements and custody arrangements, as it may be considered a factor in legal proceedings.
11. Rwanda
Rwanda’s penal code includes adultery as a criminal offense, with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment.
While the law is not always strictly enforced, those found guilty of adultery can face legal consequences.
The country’s legal system places a heavy emphasis on family values, and marital fidelity is viewed as essential to the social fabric of Rwandan society.
In some cases, the law has been used in divorce proceedings to determine fault and influence the distribution of assets.
12. Egypt
In Egypt, adultery is considered a criminal offense, and women found guilty of infidelity can face up to two years in prison.
Men, on the other hand, are typically sentenced to less than six months in jail for the same offense. The law, however, is applied more leniently toward men, with women being penalized more harshly.
This gender bias has led to criticism from human rights organizations, particularly because of the limited ability of women to defend themselves in court.
13. Maldives
In the Maldives, adultery is prohibited under Sharia law, and those caught in extramarital affairs can be subject to flogging, imprisonment, or even stoning.
While this law is enforced more strictly in rural areas, it has been applied with varying degrees of severity in urban centers.
In recent years, some sentences have been overturned following international pressure, but the law remains in place, making infidelity a legal offense in the country.
14. Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, adultery is not criminalized for women but is a punishable offense for men. A man who engages in an extramarital affair with another person’s wife can face up to five years in prison.
The law is designed to protect the sanctity of marriage, particularly in the case of infidelity involving married women.
However, since women are not penalized under the law, some view this as a sign of gender inequality in the legal system.
15. United States
While infidelity is not a federal crime in the United States, it is still illegal in 16 states. The penalties for adultery vary by state, and in some cases, it can lead to fines or imprisonment.
However, the application of such laws is rare, and in most cases, infidelity is handled through divorce proceedings rather than criminal prosecution.
That being said, adultery can impact divorce settlements, especially in cases involving alimony or custody of children.
Alicia Richards