Sénégal : HRW Dénonce Au Moins 212 Arrestations De Personnes LGBT Recensées Par La RADDHO

• Human Rights Watch reported on October 12, 2026, an increased crackdown on LGBT individuals in Senegal.
• The report, based on 39 testimonies, details a surge in arrests, alleged violence, and discrimination.
• Data from RADDHO indicates at least 212 arrests have occurred since new penal provisions were implemented.
• Nearly a hundred people are estimated to be currently detained on charges related to "unnatural acts."
• The RADDHO Secretary General noted a "strong increase throughout the country" in abuses against LGBT individuals.

The findings presented by Human Rights Watch, supported by RADDHO's data, underscore a profound human rights crisis unfolding in Senegal.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) issued a significant alert on Monday, October 12, 2026, highlighting a severe escalation of pressure against homosexual and transgender individuals across Senegal. This report, titled "A brutal repression violates the rights of LGBT people," was released in Dakar during the 89th ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, drawing international attention to the situation. The findings within the document are based on 39 individual testimonies, painting a stark picture of the challenges faced by the LGBT community.

The investigation conducted by HRW, utilizing these personal accounts, details a concerning surge in arrests. It also documents instances of alleged violence and widespread discrimination, which have intensified following recent amendments to Senegalese law. The Rencontre africaine pour la défense des droits de l’homme (RADDHO) provided crucial data, cited by HRW, indicating that at least 212 individuals have been arrested since the new penal provisions came into effect. This figure underscores the dramatic increase in state action against LGBT persons.

The reported increase in arrests and abuses is directly linked to the recent strengthening of Senegal's legal framework. These new provisions have created a more hostile environment, leading to detentions under charges often categorized as "unnatural acts." The Secretary General of RADDHO has characterized this trend as a "strong increase throughout the country," noting that LGBT individuals are subjected to detentions, various forms of violence, and other abuses.

While the cumulative number of arrests reported by RADDHO stands at a minimum of 212, a separate estimate suggests that nearly a hundred individuals are currently incarcerated on charges related to these so-called "unnatural acts." It is important to note that this figure represents an estimation of those still detained and requires official confirmation. This current detention count is distinct from the total number of arrests recorded since the implementation of the stricter legal measures, which reflects the overall scope of the crackdown.

The findings presented by Human Rights Watch, supported by RADDHO's data, underscore a profound human rights crisis unfolding in Senegal. The systematic targeting of individuals based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, through increased arrests and detentions, represents a significant setback for human rights in the region. The testimonies collected by HRW reveal not only legal persecution but also the pervasive fear of violence and discrimination that now permeates the lives of LGBT people.

The situation demands urgent attention from the international community and human rights bodies. The reported abuses, including violence and other forms of mistreatment during detention, highlight the vulnerability of this population under the current legal regime. The call for official confirmation of detention numbers and the broader implications of these strengthened laws point to an ongoing struggle for fundamental freedoms and dignity for LGBT individuals in Senegal.

Source: Original reporting via Human Rights Watch and RADDHO