Brutal Crackdown Violates LGBT People's Rights

Mass arrests, Forced HIV Testing, Restricted Access to Legal Representation (Dakar) Senegal 's growing crackdown on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) people is violating their rights, causing increasing fear and stigma, and should be ended immediately, Human Rights Watch said today. Mass arrests forced HIV testing and barriers to legal representation appear to be part of an increase in punitive government action against LGBT people in West Africa . Keep up with the latest headlines on WhatsApp | LinkedIn On March 11, 2026, Senegal's parliament amended article 319 of the penal code , doubling to 10 years the maximum prison term for consensual same-sex conduct and criminalizing "promotion" of or support to LGBT people and organizations. The amendment followed the detention by security forces of at least five men in Thiès region in December 2025 and 12 men in the capital, Dakar , in February 2026 on charges including "acts against nature" and "intentional transmission of HIV." Police and gendarmerie then escalated arrests of suspected LGBT people in various other cities including Thiès , Rosso , Saint Louis , Yeumbeul , and Ziguinchor . "LGBT people are being forced to curb their normal activities and to keep from exercising their rights for fear of arrest and increased stigma," said Larissa Kojoué , LGBT rights researcher at Human Rights Watch. "Senegal's government should call a halt to this crackdown, which threatens everyone's rights." Human Rights Watch interviewed 39 people in May in Senegal: 5 people who had been detained in late 2025 and early 2026, 2 journalists, 9 civil society representatives and human rights defenders, 2 national officials, 2 lawyers, 4 health professionals, and 15 members of the Senegalese queer community. Human Rights Watch also reviewed official statements, and media and nongovernmental group reports. On September 29, Human Rights Watch wrote to the Senegalese authorities, including the justice minister, the high commander of the National Gendarmerie and director of military justice, and the director general of the National Police detailing its findings and asking specific questions, but has received no response. Same-sex sexual conduct has been criminalized in Senegal since 1965 , but hostility toward LGBT people has significantly intensified in recent years. During the 2024 presidential campaign, President Diomaye Faye and former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko pledged to strengthen laws criminalizing same-sex relations, framing the issue as a national priority and mobilizing broad political and public support. The March amendments have triggered new attacks against LGBT people, interviewees said. Mouhamadou Seck, secretary-general of the prominent Senegalese organization African Forum for the Defense of Human Rights (Rencontre Africaine pour la Défense des Droits de l'Homme, or RADDHO), said in May that "detentions, violence, and abuse against LGBT individuals have sharply increased across the country." Human Rights Watch was not able to independently verify the total number of arrests linked to article 319. However, between February and July, at least 212 people have been arrested, according to data collected by RADDHO. HIV Justice Network reported that the number of arrests exceeded more than 300 during the same period. Of those arrested, 82 were also charged with "voluntary HIV transmission," although a court dismissed these charges in August. These figures illustrate the scale of arrests and indicate a pattern in enforcement of article 319. Security force officials have stated that they have arrested people suspected of engaging in same-sex conduct based on information extracted from previously seized phones, third-party allegations, or raids on private premises. The March amendment to the penal code introduces broadly defined offenses criminalizing activities such as "promotion" and "glorification" of homosexuality, as well as financing and supporting L

Source: Original reporting via AllAfrica Senegal