Senegal doubles prison sentence for homosexuality to 10 years

Senegal’s parliament passed a law increasing the maximum prison sentence for homosexuality to 10 years during a vote in Dakar on March 11th, according to France 24 and agencies on March 12th.

The measure doubles the previous maximum penalty of five years under Senegal’s penal code. The legislation amends Article 319, which criminalises what the law describes as “acts against nature” between people of the same sex.

Under the new legislation, the maximum 10-year prison term applies when the offence involves a minor.

The bill also increases financial penalties, raising fines to between two million and 10 million CFA francs ($3,500 to $17,600), compared with earlier fines ranging from 100,000 to 1.5 million CFA francs.

Supporters of the measure said it reinforces Senegal’s existing legal provisions on homosexuality.

Religious leaders and conservative groups in the predominantly Muslim country have also expressed support for maintaining and strengthening the law.

Human rights organisations criticised the decision and said harsher punishments could increase the risk of arrests and abuse against people accused of homosexuality; campaigners have long called for the repeal of Article 319 and similar laws.

Dozens of arrests linked to the law have been reported since February as authorities intensified enforcement of the legislation.

Police detained 12 men at the start of the recent wave of arrests, including two local public figures.

Some arrests have followed accusations by members of the public and searches of mobile phones. Local media have reported such cases frequently in recent weeks and, at times, have disclosed the identities of those detained.

In several cases, detainees have also been accused of intentionally transmitting HIV, allegations that have intensified public debate around same-sex relations in the country.

The debate over Senegal’s laws criminalising same-sex relations has intensified in recent years. Activists say advocacy for LGBTQ rights is often portrayed by critics as an attempt by Western countries to impose foreign social values.

Coverage of recent arrests has used hostile language toward suspected LGBTQ individuals, with local newspapers using headlines such as “Big homo clean-up” and “Bisexuals, walking dangers”.

Some reports have also conflated the detentions with a separate investigation into child sexual abuse.

In the unrelated case, authorities said they dismantled a group accused of sexually abusing minors and arrested 14 suspects.

Same-sex relations have been illegal in Senegal for decades, and prosecutions under the penal code have occurred periodically. Enforcement of these laws can carry political benefits in a country where homosexuality is widely viewed as socially unacceptable.

Senegal is one of several former French colonies, including Burkina Faso and Tunisia, that criminalise homosexuality. Campaigners say the legislation contributes to discrimination, while supporters say it reflects the region’s prevailing social attitudes.

France24 and agencies, Maghrebi.org