Senegal Assembly Adopts New Law: Penalties for Homosexuals Increased

Senegal Assembly Adopts New Law: Penalties for Homosexuals Increased The Parliament of Senegal has approved a new law that substantially increases penalties for homosexual acts, doubling prison sentences to between five and ten years. The legislation also introduces stricter penalties for the “promotion” and “financing” of homosexuality and includes fines of up to $17,000 USD. This law fulfills a campaign promise and follows increased pressure and arrests of alleged gay individuals.

• Senegal’s Parliament has passed a new law increasing penalties for homosexuality.
• Prison sentences for homosexual acts are doubled from one to five years to five to ten years.
• Penalties for “promotion” and “financing” of homosexuality are increased, with fines up to 10 million CFA francs ($17,000 USD).
• The law aims to counter organizations advocating for LGBTQ+ issues.
• 135 MPs voted in favor, with none against and three abstentions.
• The previous law dated from 1966 and was considered too lenient.
• The law also penalizes false accusations of homosexual acts.
• Islamic value groups have supported the law, leading to increased police pressure and arrests.