- Lawmakers in Senegal were scheduled to debate a controversial bill at the National Assembly of Senegal that sought to increase penalties for same-sex relations
- The legislation, introduced by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, proposed doubling the maximum prison sentence to up to 10 years and adding penalties for public advocacy of LGBTQ rights
- Human rights groups criticised the proposal amid reports that authorities had arrested at least 30 people in recent weeks during a crackdown on alleged same-sex relations
Lawmakers in Senegal are set to debate a controversial bill on Wednesday that seeks to significantly increase the legal penalties for same-sex relations, a move that has drawn criticism from human rights organisations.
According to an official document from the National Assembly of Senegal signed on Friday, legislators have been summoned to a plenary session on March 11, 2026, where the proposed legislation will be reviewed and debated. A vote on the bill is expected to take place on the same day.
The proposed law, introduced by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, would double the maximum prison sentence for same-sex relations from the current penalty to as much as 10 years behind bars.
The legislation comes amid an intensified crackdown on individuals accused of same-sex relations in the West African country in recent weeks. Several arrests have been reported, alongside a surge in online harassment targeting people suspected of being part of the LGBTQ community.
The issue remains highly sensitive in Senegal, a predominantly Muslim and deeply religious society where same-sex relationships are widely opposed.
Earlier in February, authorities arrested around a dozen men, including two local celebrities, on allegations of engaging in what officials described as “acts against nature”, a term commonly used in the country’s legal framework to refer to same-sex relations.
Following the arrests, local media reported an increase in detentions across the country. According to press reports, at least 30 individuals have been arrested in recent weeks, with some detentions reportedly linked to accusations made through phone searches and tips from members of the public.
In some cases, those detained have also faced allegations of intentionally transmitting HIV, further intensifying the public debate around the issue.
Under the proposed legislation, penalties would not only apply to individuals found guilty of same-sex relations but also to those who publicly support LGBTQ rights. The bill proposes prison sentences ranging from three to seven years for people accused of advocating for LGBTQ individuals.
Human rights organisations have criticised the proposed law, warning that it could further marginalise vulnerable communities and encourage discrimination.
Advocacy groups have also raised concerns about the increasing number of arrests and the publication of suspects’ names in the media, arguing that such practices could expose individuals to stigma, harassment and violence.
If passed, the legislation would mark one of the toughest legal approaches to same-sex relations in the region, reinforcing Senegal’s already strict laws on the matter.
The upcoming debate is expected to attract significant attention both within Senegal and internationally, as observers closely watch how lawmakers in the country’s parliament handle the contentious proposal.