Dakar, Senegal — Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has signed a law that doubles the maximum prison term for same-sex relations, increasing it to up to 10 years. The law, which came into effect after its publication in the official journal, was passed by the National Assembly with a strong majority. It also introduces criminal penalties for those promoting or financing same-sex relationships.
UN rights chief Volker Turk has expressed deep concern, describing the law as a violation of fundamental human rights. The previous law, which penalized “acts against nature “including same-sex relations, had a maximum sentence of one to five years. The new legislation also provides for three to seven years in prison for those found guilty of promoting or financing same-sex relationships.
Since February, dozens of men have been arrested under the new anti — LGBTQ laws, including two local celebrities. The law also penalizes individuals who make accusations of same-sex offenses without evidence. The bill was approved by a vote of 135 in favor, with zero opposed and three abstentions.
The maximum sentence now includes fines ranging from two million to 10 million CFA francs ($3,500 to $17,600), up from the previous range of 100,000 to 1.5 million CFA francs. LGBTQ rights group ILGA World had previously urged President Faye not to sign the bill, emphasizing the importance of individual liberty and human rights.
In recent years, LGBTQ issues have been a contentious topic in Senegal, with religious associations staging demonstrations calling for stricter penalties. Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, who later became influential in pushing for the new law, had previously vowed to criminalize same-sex relations.
Source: Africanews
