Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko introduced legislation in parliament Tuesday that would increase the minimum prison sentence for homosexuality to five years, up from the current one-year minimum. The bill also seeks to broaden the legal definition of “unnatural acts” under a law that has criminalized homosexuality since Senegal’s independence from France in 1960.
The legislation fulfills one of Sonko’s campaign promises and comes as human rights organizations document intensifying legal pressure on LGBTQ+ people in the country, with at least a dozen people arrested in recent weeks on allegations of homosexuality.
Expanding the Legal Definition
“We can achieve the intended objectives without going so far as to elevate the acts” to more serious crimes, Sonko said in parliament, explaining his position on keeping homosexuality classified as a misdemeanor rather than a felony under the proposed legislation.
The bill broadens the legal definition of “unnatural acts” while stiffening penalties. These changes build on legislation that has criminalized homosexuality since Senegal’s 1960 independence from France, making the West African nation one of dozens of countries where same-sex conduct remains illegal.
Documented Deterioration and Arrests
Human rights organizations working in Senegal document a worsening climate for LGBTQ+ people. According to those groups, conditions have deteriorated since 2018, and recent weeks have brought a surge in arrests on allegations of homosexuality—with at least a dozen people detained.
Campaign Promise Fulfilled
The bill fulfills a campaign commitment Sonko made during his political rise. It now advances to the National Assembly for a vote, where Sonko’s PASTEF party holds a controlling majority, making passage likely.
International Scrutiny
The escalation in criminal penalties reflects the influence of conservative social values in Senegal’s governance and public life. The proposed law represents one of the most severe recent efforts to criminalize same-sex conduct, even as many regional nations review or liberalize their approaches to LGBTQ+ rights.
Human Rights Watch and other international advocacy organizations are monitoring the developments closely, concerned about the chilling effect that heightened penalties could have on LGBTQ+ people seeking to live openly in the country.