French civil rights organizations and elected officials are stepping up efforts to support LGBTQ+ individuals in Senegal, where a controversial law passed in March now criminalizes same-sex relationships with prison sentences ranging from five to ten years. STOP Homophobie, a prominent Paris-based advocacy group, is actively aiding 68 people currently detained in Senegal, while also providing shelter for several refugees in the Paris region and assisting around fifty individuals in securing relocation to France.

The organization has launched a dedicated hotline to respond to the surge in pleas for help. Terrence Khatchadourian, the association’s Secretary-General, revealed that the phones have been ringing nonstop: “Until just two weeks ago, we had received over 3,000 calls, and our lines simply couldn’t handle the volume.”

“France must do more”

Jean-Luc Romero-Michel, a prominent activist and former deputy mayor of Paris, argues that France’s response remains insufficient. “Every message I receive tells the same story: these individuals are struggling to obtain humanitarian visas. Today, France is falling short,” he emphasized. Meanwhile, Ian Brossat, a Paris city councilor, is set to propose a municipal resolution today to allocate housing for Senegalese refugees fleeing persecution. “Expressing outrage over the situation in Senegal is good, but ensuring these people can find refuge in France is even better,” he asserted.