Senegal Charges 32 Homosexuality HIV: Louga Prosecutor Acts

• Thirty-two individuals in Senegal's Louga region have been charged with "unnatural acts," wilful HIV transmission, criminal conspiracy, and other offenses.
• These charges follow an October 15 order from an investigating judge to refer the defendants to the correctional court.
• The legal action is part of a wider crackdown on suspected LGBTQ+ individuals in Senegal, with hundreds arrested recently.
• Senegal's homosexuality laws were tightened in March 2026, increasing sentences and introducing penalties for promoting or supporting LGBTQ+ people.
• Human rights organizations have criticized the crackdown, warning it discourages HIV testing and treatment, especially during the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

The comprehensive nature of the charges, ranging from "unnatural acts" to the wilful transmission of HIV and criminal conspiracy, signals a severe and multifaceted legal challenge for the accused.

Thirty-two individuals in Senegal's northern Louga region have been formally charged with a range of offenses, including "unnatural acts" and the wilful transmission of HIV, and subsequently referred for trial. The public prosecutor for the Louga region announced these charges, which also encompass criminal conspiracy, endangering the lives of others, unlawful collection of personal data, and sexual harassment. This significant development follows an order issued on October 15 by an investigating judge at the Louga High Court, which directed that all 32 defendants face the correctional court. The breadth of the charges highlights an intensified legal approach in the country.

This legal action in Senegal charges 32 individuals with serious offenses, moving beyond traditional "unnatural acts" accusations to include public health and data privacy violations. The involvement of the Louga region public prosecutor in pursuing such a comprehensive set of charges underscores a concerted effort to prosecute individuals under various legal pretexts. The inclusion of "unlawful collection of personal data Senegal" among the charges indicates a potentially expanding scope of legal tools being deployed in these cases.

These recent charges are set against a backdrop of a broader Senegal LGBTQ+ crackdown, which has seen hundreds of arrests in recent months. Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported in October that at least 212 individuals were apprehended between February and July alone, citing figures compiled by the African Forum for the Defence of Human Rights (RADDHO). This surge in enforcement follows legislative changes enacted in March 2026, when Senegal significantly tightened its laws concerning homosexuality.

The amended Senegal homosexuality law 2026 dramatically increased the maximum prison sentence for consensual same-sex relations, elevating it from five years to a decade. Furthermore, the revised legislation introduced new penalties specifically targeting the promotion of homosexuality, as well as the support or financing of LGBTQ+ individuals and organizations. These legislative and enforcement actions have drawn considerable criticism from various human rights organizations globally, highlighting concerns about fundamental freedoms.

The ongoing crackdown and the recent charges carry profound implications, particularly as Senegal is currently hosting the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games from October 31 to November 13. Human Rights Watch has specifically urged Senegalese authorities to cease what it describes as the brutal repression of LGBTQ+ people ahead of this international event. The organization has warned that the pervasive arrests and the associated social stigma are compelling individuals to go into hiding, which in turn discourages them from seeking vital HIV testing and treatment services.

The comprehensive nature of the charges, ranging from "unnatural acts" to the wilful transmission of HIV and criminal conspiracy, signals a severe and multifaceted legal challenge for the accused. The situation underscores a heightened risk environment for individuals perceived to be LGBTQ+ in Senegal, with legal actions extending beyond sexual conduct to encompass broader allegations like unlawful collection of personal data. This development places Senegal under increased international scrutiny regarding its human rights record.

Lawyers and compliance officers advising clients in Senegal should note the heightened enforcement risk for individuals perceived to be LGBTQ+ and the potential for broader charges, including criminal conspiracy and unlawful data collection. This development underscores the need to review internal policies and employee conduct guidelines in light of Senegal's tightened laws and increased judicial scrutiny.

Source: Original reporting via Leadership and AllAfrica.