Senegal’s parliament has approved a new law doubling to 10 years the maximum prison term for sexual acts by same-sex couples while also criminalising the “promotion” of homosexuality, marking a significant tightening of the country’s existing anti-LGBTQ legal framework. The measure was overwhelmingly supported by 135 members of parliament, with none voting against it and three abstaining. The legislation, which now awaits the president’s signature to become law, follows a wave of arrests last month over alleged same-sex relationships, underscoring the government’s intensified crackdown on sexual minorities in the country.
The law was a campaign promise of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and was submitted to parliament in the wake of rising public and political attention to same-sex relationships, which are already prohibited under Senegalese law. The legislation has attracted global scrutiny, with UN human rights chief Volker Türk describing the bill as “deeply worrying” and urging the president not to sign it, warning that it could exacerbate human rights violations against already vulnerable populations. Despite this international concern, Senegalese government officials defended the move, emphasizing that the law reflects local cultural and social values. “The majority of Senegalese do not accept homosexuality. Our culture rejects it and we are firmly opposed to it,” said government spokesman Amadou Moustapha Ndieck Sarré, dismissing external criticism.
Some conservative activists in Senegal have long advocated for stricter penalties against same-sex conduct. The movement And Sàmm Jikko Yi, which campaigns to defend what it calls Senegalese moral values, has repeatedly called on authorities to adopt more severe legislation criminalising homosexual acts, arguing that such measures are essential to protect the country’s cultural and religious norms. Supporters of the law contend that it aligns with the moral expectations of Senegalese society and is necessary to uphold the nation’s traditional values in the face of perceived social change.
However, rights groups have sounded the alarm over the law’s potential consequences for sexual minorities, warning that it could worsen discrimination and heighten the risk of violence. Human Rights Watch researcher Larissa Kojoué described the proposed changes as deeply concerning, saying: “Criminalising same-sex conduct and arresting people for their sexual orientation violates multiple internationally protected rights, including equality and non-discrimination.”
She added that the legislation risks exposing already stigmatised individuals to “violence and fear,” further marginalising people who live discreetly due to societal pressures. Alioune Tine, founder of the think-tank Afrikajom Center, echoed these concerns, telling the BBC that the law could aggravate social tensions. “If it is true that social concerns must be addressed, [the law] also has to respect human rights and protecting public-health policies,” he said.
Others have highlighted that same-sex relationships exist in Senegal regardless of legal prohibitions, arguing that such relationships cannot be eradicated by legislation alone. “Most of the same-sex relationships were hidden anyway. There are even people who are married in the society and who are still entertaining a safe-sex relationship because of the norm and the cultural norm in that society,” said Senegal LGBTQ Association head and medical doctor Charles Dotou in an interview with BBC Newsday.
Dr Dotou added that the new law will likely push people further into hiding, creating fear and undermining their ability to live openly. “All that will happen is people will be hiding more, it will create more fear and people will be scared to live normally in that community. So there will be an exodus of people, particularly people who were already exposed so that that creates a bit of chaos in society,” he said, highlighting the potential societal consequences of the legislation.
The passing of the law comes after last month’s wave of arrests targeting 12 men, including two public figures and a prominent journalist, underscoring the government’s enforcement of existing anti-LGBTQ statutes. The combination of heightened legislative penalties and active policing has intensified the precarious situation for sexual minorities in Senegal, while attracting growing international attention and criticism over human rights implications.