Senegal PM Proposes Harsher Penalties for Same-Sex Relations
Proposed legislation would raise maximum jail term for same-sex relations to 10 years amid growing rights concerns.
- Bill seeks to increase prison term for same-sex relations to 10 years.
- Includes penalties for advocacy and fines up to 10 million CFA francs.
- Rights groups criticize proposal as violation of equality and non-discrimination.
Senegal’s Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, has introduced a bill that would increase prison sentences for same-sex relations to a maximum of 10 years.
The proposed legislation, submitted to parliament following cabinet approval, seeks to amend existing laws that already criminalise same-sex relationships in Senegal. Under the new bill, what it describes as “acts against nature” would carry prison terms of five to 10 years, up from the current one- to five-year sentences. Sonko stated that offences involving minors would attract the maximum penalty.
The draft law also proposes prison terms of three to seven years for individuals found to be promoting or advocating same-sex relations. In addition, it outlines penalties for those who accuse others of homosexuality without proof, and includes fines of up to 10 million CFA francs.
Debate over LGBT rights has long been contentious in Senegal, where conservative and religious groups have called for stricter enforcement of existing laws. The proposal follows a recent wave of arrests under anti-LGBT legislation, with local media reporting dozens of detentions this month.
Human rights organisations, including Human Rights Watch, have criticised the crackdown, arguing that it violates internationally protected rights such as equality and non-discrimination.
A vote date has not yet been announced, but the bill is expected to be considered by a parliament dominated by Sonko’s ruling party.
