LGBTQ+ people go into hiding in Senegal as hundreds are arrested

At least 320 people have been detained in Senegal for alleged ‘acts against nature’ following a toughening of laws criminalizing homosexuality, according to a report by Human Rights Watch (HRW).

The report highlights that mass arrests, forced HIV testing, and barriers to legal representation are part of an escalating crackdown against LGBTQ+ individuals in the country. Since February, over 320 individuals have been arrested on allegations of “acts against nature.” Among these, at least 84 were charged with “voluntary HIV transmission” based solely on their HIV status.

The crackdown intensified after Senegal’s parliament amended the penal code on 11 March, doubling the maximum prison term for consensual same-sex relations to 10 years. The new law also introduced penalties of up to seven years in prison and fines ranging from 500,000 to 5 million CFA francs (£650–£6,500) for promoting homosexuality or supporting LGBTQ+ organizations.

Larissa Kojoué, an LGBTQ+ rights researcher at HRW, stated:

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“LGBTQ+ people are being forced to curb their normal activities … for fear of arrest and increased stigma. Senegal’s government should call a halt to this crackdown, which threatens everyone’s rights.”