Senegal’s parliament on Wednesday approved a bill doubling the maximum prison sentence for same-sex relations to 10 years.
Lawmakers passed the government-backed legislation by 135 votes to none, with three abstentions.
The law, which now requires the president’s signature to take effect, was a major campaign promise of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko in 2024.
Law targets so-called ‘acts against nature’
The latest law strengthens existing legislation that previously allowed prison terms of up to five years for what the penal code describes as « acts against nature. »
The new law criminalizing the promotion of homosexuality also increased the fine to up to 10 million CFA francs ($17,700, €15,340) from 1.5 million CFA francs ($2,676.18).
Furthermore, it bars judges from granting suspended sentences or reducing a prison term below the minimum in the Muslim-majority West African country.
Rising anti-LGBTQ+ trend
Ahead of the passage of the law, between February 9 and February 24, some 27 men were arrested on suspicion of « acts against nature » as well as, in some cases, « voluntary transmission » of HIV, a crime carrying up to 10 years in prison, according to the International Federation for Human Rights.
Rights groups say the measure is part of a broader trend of stricter anti-LGBTQ+ laws in the region, following similar moves in countries including Burkina Faso and proposed legislation in Ghana.
More than half of the about 65 countries worldwide that criminalize same-sex relations are in Africa.
Edited by
Source:
www.dw.com