Doubling Penalties to 10 Years
Lawmakers in Senegal’s National Assembly overwhelmingly approved a bill on March 11, 2026, that doubles the maximum prison term for same-sex acts from five to 10 years.
The legislation also criminalizes the “promotion” or “glorification” of homosexuality, bisexuality, and transsexuality, imposing fines up to 10 million CFA francs (over $17,700). Passed by 135 votes to zero, with three abstentions, the measure fulfills a campaign promise of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko.
It awaits the president’s signature. Critics argue it targets not only private consensual acts but also advocacy, support services, and public expression, amid a recent wave of arrests.
Civil Society Reactions: Fears of Escalating Violence, Discrimination, and Health Crises
Civil society organizations and local activists have issued strong condemnations, warning that the bill will intensify stigma, fear, and human rights violations.
Human Rights Watch researcher Larissa Kojoué described the changes as “worrying,” stating: “Criminalising same-sex conduct and arresting people for their sexual orientation violates multiple internationally protected rights, including equality and non-discrimination.” She highlighted the risk of exposing already stigmatized individuals to “violence and fear.”Outright International issued a detailed press release labeling the law a direct assault on civic space. Senior Program Officer for Africa Yvonne Wamari said: “LGBTQ people are citizens of Senegal.
They pay taxes, serve their communities, and contribute to the nation’s future. This law does not protect Senegalese society; it abandons a part of it, sentencing LGBTQ people to exist in a country where they are cut off from health services, legal support, and community networks.” The group noted that provisions against “promotion” criminalize advocacy, journalism, donor support, and even healthcare delivery, threatening public health gains in HIV prevention.
Senegal’s National Council for the Fight Against AIDS (CNLS) echoed these concerns, with executive secretary Dr. Safiétou Thiam warning that the bill risks undermining 30-35 years of progress toward eliminating AIDS as a public health threat.
Local voices amplified the alarm.
Alioune Tine of the Afrikajom Center think-tank told the BBC the law could worsen social tensions, stressing that while addressing cultural concerns is valid, “it also has to respect human rights and protecting public-health policies.”
Charles Dotou, head of the Senegal LGBTQ Association and a medical doctor, argued that same-sex relationships “are part of life and cannot be abolished by law.” He predicted greater hiding, fear, and an exodus: “There will be people who are scared to live normally in that community. So there will be an exodus of people.”UN Human Rights chief Volker Türk called the bill “deeply worrying” and urged President Faye not to sign it.
Activists reported a pre-existing climate of fear, with dozens of arrests since February 2026, including forced examinations and media sensationalism. Many LGBTQ Senegalese have already fled or are planning to leave, but those without resources face isolation.
Civil society groups, including those documenting abuses, now risk prosecution themselves, potentially silencing dissent and eroding democratic accountability.While some conservative civil society networks, like Imam Babacar Sylla’s And Samm Jikko Yi, support swift presidential approval to protect “moral, cultural, and religious norms,” the dominant reaction from human rights-focused organizations frames the bill as regressive and dangerous for all Senegalese.
Calls for Fundamental Freedoms and Human Rights Alignment
European responses have been swift from prominent politicians and media, though official government statements from EU member states remain limited in the immediate aftermath of the vote.
French left-wing leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon strongly condemned the legislation as “absurd.” In a public statement, he declared: “The condemnation of homosexuality in a civil law is absurd in our opinion. Sexual orientation is not a choice.” Mélenchon, who had previously addressed the issue during a visit to Dakar at Prime Minister Sonko’s invitation, emphasized respect for fundamental freedoms and friendship between nations.
European media outlets, including France 24, Le Monde, Deutsche Welle (DW), and the BBC, framed the bill critically, highlighting its clash with international human rights standards that many European countries champion.
Coverage emphasized risks to equality, non-discrimination, and public health—values enshrined in EU treaties and the European Convention on Human Rights. Analysts noted Senegal’s historical ties to France and the EU’s emphasis on LGBTQ rights in development partnerships, raising questions about potential diplomatic repercussions.
No immediate formal statements emerged from the European Union institutions or governments like Germany or France as of March 13, 2026.
However, the bill’s timing aligns with broader European concerns over rising anti-LGBTQ legislation in parts of Africa. Mélenchon’s intervention reflects a wider sentiment in European progressive circles that criminalizing identity or advocacy contradicts universal rights. Conservative or sovereignty-focused voices in Europe have been quieter, with some acknowledging Senegal’s cultural context while still noting human rights obligations under treaties Senegal has ratified.
Implications and Calls for Presidential Action
The bill’s passage risks reversing Senegal’s relative progress on HIV and civic freedoms, according to civil society. Activists urge President Faye to veto or refer the law to constitutional review, citing Senegal’s commitments to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and international covenants.
European observers and rights groups echo this, positioning the decision as a test of the government’s balance between cultural values and global standards.
As the president considers his next step, reactions underscore a deepening divide: civil society fears heightened persecution and isolation for vulnerable communities, while European voices stress dialogue rooted in dignity and non-discrimination. The coming days will determine whether the law takes effect, potentially reshaping lives across Senegal and testing international partnerships.