Senegal Increases Penalties for Same-Sex Relations

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has officially enacted a contentious bill that toughens penalties for engaging in same-sex relationships, with those found guilty now facing sentences of up to a decade behind bars.

This legislation was ratified by Senegal’s National Assembly, garnering 135 votes in support, and elevates the maximum punishment from five years to a range of five to ten years. It also imposes additional penalties of three to seven years in prison for individuals accused of promoting or financially supporting same-sex relationships.

Designated as “acts against nature,” these same-sex relationships will also incur monetary fines that range from two million to ten million CFA francs. Volker Türk, the UN human rights chief, expressed deep concern over this development, indicating that it contradicts fundamental human rights.

Recent reports suggest that the enforcement of these new laws has escalated, resulting in numerous arrests in recent months, often triggered by accusations and phone monitoring. Moreover, this law penalizes false accusations, holding individuals accountable for alleging same-sex acts without sufficient proof.

Human rights organizations, including UNAIDS and ILGA World, had previously admonished the Senegalese government against approving the bill, warning it could dissuade individuals from accessing vital health services and infringe on personal freedoms.

In spite of the growing international apprehension, this legislation sees substantial backing within Senegal, where LGBTQ rights are a contentious issue often interwoven with cultural and religious considerations. Senegal is among several African nations that impose stringent laws against same-sex relations, with punitive measures spanning imprisonment and, in some jurisdictions, capital punishment.