French citizen held in Senegal amid strict anti-LGBT laws

• A French citizen has been held in Senegal since February 14, facing charges including “unnatural acts.”
• Senegal significantly strengthened its anti-homosexuality legislation in March, with penalties now reaching up to ten years in prison.
• The French Embassy in Dakar is closely monitoring the situation of its national.

A French national has been held in a Senegalese correctional facility for two months. The individual was taken into custody on February 14, 2024, facing multiple accusations, including “unnatural acts, criminal association, money laundering, and attempted HIV transmission,” as part of a broader series of arrests. This detention unfolds against a backdrop of escalating anti-LGBT+ sentiment and a surge in arrests targeting individuals suspected of homosexuality across the nation. 

Human rights concerns as Senegal hardens stance

Senegal’s legal framework regarding same-sex relations saw a significant tightening in March, with new provisions imposing sentences ranging from five to ten years in prison. This follows a recent case in April where a young Senegalese man was sentenced to six years after being apprehended in a same-sex encounter in a Dakar suburb. Regarding the detained French citizen, our embassy in Dakar is vigilantly tracking the developments. Consular services have conducted four visits to provide protection and maintain close contact with the individual’s family, a commitment also upheld by officials in Paris.

In Senegal, a predominantly Muslim nation, same-sex relationships are widely viewed as a deviation. The increased severity of legal repercussions for these acts aligns with a long-standing political pledge by the ruling party, a stance that resonates strongly with a segment of the electorate. Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, publicly denounced the new law upon its promulgation by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, stating it “flouts” fundamental human rights.

A spokesperson for the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs previously voiced serious “concern regarding the toughening of penalties for LGBT+ individuals in Senegal and the introduction of new offenses related to the promotion or financing of homosexuality.” France reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the universality and indivisibility of human rights, advocating for the global decriminalization of homosexuality, the defense of LGBT+ rights, and the eradication of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.