Senegal enforces harsh penalties under anti-LGBT+ legislation
- A French national has been held in Senegalese custody since February 14, facing charges including “unnatural acts” and money laundering.
- The detainee’s arrest coincides with a broader crackdown on homosexuality, now punishable by up to a decade in prison.
- French diplomatic missions are closely monitoring the situation and providing consular support to the detainee and their family.
A French citizen has been imprisoned in Senegal for two months following an arrest on February 14. Authorities charged the individual with “unnatural acts,” criminal conspiracy, money laundering, and attempted transmission of HIV amid a sweeping anti-LGBT+ campaign. The detention reflects a growing wave of homophobia in the country, where homosexual relations have long faced social and legal stigma.
Legal crackdown intensifies in Senegal
Senegal escalated its crackdown on LGBT+ rights in March, imposing stricter penalties for same-sex relationships. Convictions now carry sentences ranging from five to ten years in prison. In April, a young Senegalese man received a six-year sentence after being caught in a private moment with another man in a Dakar suburb. Authorities justified the ruling under the country’s conservative legal framework, where homosexuality has historically been criminalized.
The French embassy in Dakar has maintained active involvement in the case. “Our consulate has conducted four visits to the detainee as part of consular protection and remains in close contact with their family,” a diplomatic source confirmed. The Quai d’Orsay in Paris has also emphasized its commitment to monitoring the situation and advocating for the individual’s rights.
International condemnation of anti-LGBT+ measures
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, criticized the new legislation during its enactment by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. “This law blatantly violates fundamental human rights,” Türk stated, highlighting concerns over its impact on privacy, equality, and dignity. The UN’s stance underscores broader international apprehension regarding the erosion of LGBT+ rights in Senegal.
French officials echoed these concerns, expressing deep unease over the harsher penalties and the introduction of new offenses targeting the promotion of homosexuality. “France upholds the universality and indivisibility of human rights,” a spokesperson for the Quai d’Orsay affirmed. “We remain steadfast in our support for LGBT+ individuals worldwide and oppose all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.”