Senegal’s official journal this week published legislation signed by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye that doubles jail terms for same-sex relations, a change that passed with broad parliamentary support but has alarmed rights groups and international agencies.
The law raises prison sentences for “acts against nature,” the phrase used in the text to describe same-sex relations, from the previous 1–5 years to 5–10 years. It also increases fines dramatically to 2–10 million CFA francs (roughly $3,500–$17,600), up from 100,000–1.5 million CFA francs. Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko said the higher maximum penalties would apply when the sexual activity involves a minor.
The statute lists “acts against nature” as covering homosexuality, bisexuality, “transsexuality,” zoophilia and necrophilia. Despite the stiffer penalties, these offenses remain classified as misdemeanors rather than felonies. The bill adds prison terms of 3–7 years for those found to be promoting or funding same-sex relationships, and for people accused of making unfounded allegations of same-sex conduct. Separate provisions allow up to 10 years in prison for the “voluntary transmission of HIV.”
The measure passed a recent parliamentary reading with no votes against and three abstentions. Prime Minister Sonko’s PATSEF party, a left‑wing populist movement, controls the Assembly under Senegal’s first‑past‑the‑post system, holding 130 of the 165 seats.
Human rights organizations warned the law could deter people at risk, including those who need HIV services, from seeking help. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called the law “deeply worrying,” saying it “flies in the face of the sacrosanct human rights.” UNAIDS said it was “deeply concerned,” arguing that criminalization drives people away from health services. LGBTQ rights group ILGA World appealed to President Diomaye Faye not to sign the bill, urging respect for individual liberty and human dignity.
Public attention to the issue increased in February after a series of arrests under existing provisions, including two local celebrities, prompting intense and often salacious domestic reporting. Dozens of African countries retain laws criminalizing same‑sex relations; in some, such as Uganda, Mauritania and Somalia, penalties may include the death sentence.