Senegal aims to double maximum prison sentence for homosexuality
Senegal’s prime minister Ousmane Sonko announced that he had introduced a bill toughening sentences for same-sex relationships. (Abdel Majid BZIOUAT / AFP via Getty Images)
Senegal’s prime minister Ousmane Sonko has announced legislation that would increase the maximum sentence for homosexuality.
On Tuesday (24 February), Sonko announced that a bill passed to the National assembly would double the maximum penalty for same-sex relationships, making them punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
He told parliament: “Anyone committing an act against nature will be punished by five to 10 years’ imprisonment.”
Senegal already criminalises consensual same‑sex conduct under article 319 of the Penal Code, which prohibits “acts against nature”, with the current law punishing same-sex relations with one to five years in prison.
As per France 24, Sonko said the bill modified the penal code to stipulate that “any sexual act or act of a sexual nature between two people of the same sex constitutes an act against nature”.
The law would also penalise anyone who accuses another of same-sex offences “without proof”, while “anyone who engages in advocacy” for same-sex relations can be handed three to seven years in prison.
A date for a vote in Parliament has yet to be announced.
The Human Rights Watch warned in a statement: “Criminalising same‑sex conduct and arresting people for their sexual orientation or gender expression violates multiple internationally protected rights, including to equality and nondiscrimination.
“Using condoms, lubricants, or HIV treatment as evidence of same-sex conduct; forcing HIV testing; and publishing someone’s HIV status breach privacy rights and relevant international norms and deter people from seeking care, undermining essential HIV prevention and treatment efforts.”
The statement added that the government should “act on its obligations to respect and protect LGBT people’s rights under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, including by releasing those arrested and repealing discriminatory and homophobic laws”.
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