Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has enacted legislation that doubles the maximum prison sentence for same-sex relations, making such acts punishable by up to 10 years, amid intensified government measures targeting the country’s LGBTQ community.
The bill, signed on Monday, March 30, and published in the official journal on Tuesday, March 31, passed the National Assembly with overwhelming support. It also criminalizes promoting or financially supporting same-sex relationships.
Volker Turk, the UN rights chief, described the law as “deeply worrying,” saying it contravenes fundamental human rights protections.
Previously, “acts against nature,” the legal term used to describe same-sex relations, carried sentences ranging from one to five years. Under the new law, offenders now face five to ten years in prison.
Those found promoting or funding same-sex relationships could face three to seven years behind bars.
Since February, media reports indicate that dozens of men have been arrested under Senegal’s anti-LGBTQ statutes, including 12 men taken into custody early that month, two of whom are local public figures.
Detentions have frequently relied on accusations and phone inspections, often publicized in the media almost daily.
The law also punishes anyone who makes unsubstantiated accusations of same-sex conduct.
Parliament debated the bill extensively before approving it on March 11 with 135 votes in favor, none against, and three abstentions.
The statute stipulates that the maximum sentence applies if the offense involves a minor.
In addition to jail time, fines have been substantially increased, ranging from two million to 10 million CFA francs ($3,500 to $17,600), compared with the previous 100,000 to 1.5 million CFA francs.
LGBTQ advocacy group ILGA World urged Faye not to sign the legislation, emphasizing the need to respect individual freedom and human dignity.
Same-sex issues have long been contentious in Senegal, where advocacy for gay rights is often criticized as an attempt by Western actors to impose foreign cultural values.
Religious organizations in the Muslim-majority nation have actively campaigned for stricter penalties.
Ousmane Sonko, who became Senegal’s influential prime minister in 2024, had pledged to criminalize same-sex relations, upgrading the offense from a misdemeanor.
Although Sonko presented the bill to parliament, the new law retains its classification as a misdemeanor, despite the harsher sentences and increased fines.