In Senegal, a French engineer has been detained for three months on charges linked to homosexuality, following a crackdown that intensified after the country’s parliament passed a stringent new anti-LGBTQ+ law in March.
Diplomatic sources confirmed the arrest of the 30-year-old man in Dakar on February 14, 2026. He faces multiple charges including acts against nature, conspiracy, money laundering, and alleged transmission of HIV. The case emerged amid a broader wave of arrests targeting individuals suspected of same-sex relationships.
French authorities have closely monitored the situation. The embassy in Dakar has maintained regular consular visits—four so far—and coordinated closely with the man’s family and legal representatives. Officials in Paris also remain engaged, reiterating France’s stance on human rights protections.
new anti-LGBTQ+ law fuels crackdown
The French national’s detention coincides with Senegal’s recent legislative shift. On March 31, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye enacted a law imposing prison sentences of five to ten years for consensual same-sex relations. This measure reflects a hardening of public attitudes and political rhetoric in a country where LGBTQ+ rights have long been a contentious issue.
The legislation arrives against a backdrop of heightened hostility. Multiple high-profile arrests have taken place in recent months, with activists warning that the legal climate is deteriorating rapidly. Same-sex relationships, already stigmatized, are now subject to severe penalties under the revised penal code.
France upholds commitment to human rights
French diplomats have emphasized the country’s unwavering dedication to universal human rights. In statements released this week, officials reaffirmed support for the global decriminalization of homosexuality and the protection of LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
While Senegal’s government defends the new law as a reflection of national values, international observers and human rights groups continue to express concern. The case of the detained French national has drawn particular attention, spotlighting the risks faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in a legal environment where enforcement appears to be intensifying.
