The BBC News Channel has reported that tough anti-gay laws are being proposed in Senegal.
Senegal's government, led by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, has tabled legislation that would significantly toughen penalties for same-sex relations, increasing the maximum prison sentence from five to ten years. The bill, approved by the cabinet last week and sent to the National Assembly on Tuesday, follows a recent wave of arrests under the country's existing anti-LGBT laws.
Addressing parliament, Prime Minister Sonko stated the draft law targets what it defines as "acts against nature," with proposed prison terms of five to ten years. This compares to the current penalty of one to five years' imprisonment. "If an act is committed with a minor, it will attract the maximum penalty," Sonko told lawmakers.
The proposed legislation also introduces new offences. It prescribes sentences of three to seven years for anyone found promoting or advocating same-sex relations. Furthermore, it outlines separate punishments for individuals who accuse others of homosexuality without providing proof. Those convicted under the new law could also face substantial fines of up to 10 million CFA francs (approximately £13,000).
Despite the harsher penalties, Sonko clarified that the offence would remain classified as a misdemeanour, not a more serious crime. "We can achieve the intended objectives without going so far as to elevate the acts to the level of more serious crimes," he added.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from human rights advocates. Human Rights Watch stated that Senegal's recent crackdown violates "multiple internationally protected rights," including equality and non-discrimination. Debate over LGBT rights remains highly charged in the conservative, Muslim-majority nation, where some groups view advocacy for these rights as a form of foreign interference. Religious organisations have held demonstrations in recent years calling for stricter punishments.
The legislative push occurs amidst increased enforcement. Earlier this month, police detained at least a dozen men, including public figures and a prominent journalist, under anti-LGBT laws. Local media report that around 30 people have been arrested in total this month.
A date for a parliamentary vote on the bill is yet to be set. The chamber is controlled by Prime Minister Sonko's Pastef party, suggesting the legislation is likely to pass. Sonko, a former opposition leader appointed prime minister in 2024, had previously pledged to criminalise same-sex relations.
Senegal's proposal aligns with a broader trend in several African nations. Last year, Burkina Faso's parliament approved a bill banning homosexual acts, following a similar move by Mali. In 2023, Uganda enacted some of the world's harshest anti-homosexuality laws, including the death penalty for certain same-sex acts.
