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Senegal’s harsh new anti-lgbtqia+ law sparks global concern
Dakar — A sweeping new law in Senegal has sent shockwaves through the international community, intensifying the persecution of LGBTQIA+ individuals and drawing sharp criticism from human rights advocates.
stricter penalties and rising persecution
The law, signed by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, dramatically escalates penalties for same-sex relationships. The maximum prison sentence for “unnatural acts” has doubled from five to ten years, while fines have surged tenfold, reaching up to 10 million West African CFA francs—equivalent to over €15,000. This legislation was framed as a “sovereignty” initiative by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and passed unanimously by Senegal’s National Assembly on March 11, 2026, with 135 votes in favor and none against.
climate of fear and arbitrary arrests
The new law has already had immediate, devastating consequences. In recent weeks, more than 100 individuals suspected of homosexuality have been detained. Some choose imprisonment over facing violent mob justice. “You’re constantly looking over your shoulder, always afraid. You can’t live like this. It’s not a life at all,” confided one young man who requested anonymity.
>“They’ve convinced people that hating LGBTQIA+ individuals makes them more devout. They spread the idea that killing a queer person sends you straight to paradise. Love is personal. It’s between you, God, and no one else,” he added, highlighting how religious figures are fueling this intolerance.
The arrest of a French engineer recently sent shockwaves through the expatriate community. “They knocked on his door and took him away. No explanation, no due process—just a raid,” recounted a friend, emphasizing that even foreigners are now vulnerable under this oppressive regime.
political and religious manipulation
The wave of hatred is being stoked by powerful religious groups. The organization And Sàmm Jikko Yi, which lobbied aggressively for this law, has labeled LGBTQIA+ individuals “a public danger.” Its president, imam Babacar Sylla, has publicly stated without evidence that queer people “deliberately spread diseases” and admitted to harboring no empathy for the community. This rhetoric has been embraced by the government, which is using the law to deflect attention from economic recession by framing homosexuality as a “Western import” incompatible with Senegalese values.
a dangerous regression for human rights
The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) has raised the alarm. “A law like this doesn’t protect anyone—it exposes already vulnerable people to even greater violence, arbitrary arrests, and humiliation,” declared Drissa Traoré, the organization’s Secretary General. The legislation also criminalizes any form of advocacy or support for LGBTQIA+ rights, severely restricting freedom of expression. Additionally, HIV testing rates have plummeted as people fear carrying condoms or lubricants could lead to prosecution. For those living with HIV, accessing treatment has become nearly impossible. “This law threatens decades of public health progress,” warned an anonymous source from a Senegalese LGBTQIA+ rights organization.
Senegal is not alone—31 of Africa’s 54 countries criminalize homosexuality, along with 21 in Asia. While nations like Uganda and Nigeria are notorious for their brutal anti-LGBTQIA+ laws, Senegal, long seen as a bastion of stability, now joins their ranks. For those affected, exile or silence are the only remaining options.
