All Out, the international LGBTQIA campaign and lobby group, are appealing for people from democratic communities across the globe to join forces in the face of fiercely anti-gay laws being planned in the African state of Senegal.

More than thirty individuals, including a well-known television presenter and a musician, are currently imprisoned in Senegal on charges related to same-sex relationships. Their arrests, under the existing law prohibiting "unnatural acts," highlight a climate of intensifying persecution as the country's parliament considers significantly harsher legislation.

Among those detained are Pape Cheikh Diallo, a television presenter, and musician Djiby Dramé. Others come from professions including tailoring, styling, and photography, with some simply arrested while meeting friends. All now face the prospect of years in prison.

The situation is poised to become more severe. Senegal's National Assembly is currently debating a new bill that could be voted on imminently. The proposed legislation seeks to double the maximum prison sentence for consensual same-sex conduct from five to ten years.

Furthermore, it would criminalise advocacy, introducing prison terms of three to seven years for anyone accused of "promoting" or defending LGBT+ rights. This provision threatens to make public discussion, solidarity, and free speech on the issue a criminal act.

Human rights organisations warn that using criminal law to police private, consensual relationships shatters lives, destroys careers, and instils widespread fear, eroding fundamental freedoms for all. They argue a state's duty is to protect the dignity and safety of all people, not to punish them for their identity.

With the bill under active parliamentary debate, campaigners stress there remains a critical window to halt its passage and demand the release of those already detained under the current discriminatory law.

https://action.allout.org/en/m/783d433d/