- A French national has been held in detention in Senegal since February 14, facing charges including “unnatural acts.”
- Senegal significantly stiffened its anti-homosexuality laws in March, with offenses now carrying penalties of up to ten years in prison.
- The French Embassy in Dakar is closely monitoring the evolving situation.
For two months now, a French citizen has been incarcerated in Senegal. The individual was taken into custody on February 14, 2026, on accusations including “unnatural acts,” criminal association, money laundering, and attempting to transmit HIV. This detention occurred amidst a broader series of arrests and an escalating climate of homophobia targeting individuals suspected of homosexuality across the nation.
The UN criticizes a law that “flouts” human rights
In March, Senegal significantly strengthened its legal framework against same-sex relations, now imposing prison sentences ranging from five to ten years. This legislative shift has already seen consequences, with a young Senegalese man receiving a six-year sentence in April after being apprehended during a sexual encounter with another man in a Dakar suburb. Regarding the detained French citizen, the French Embassy in Dakar is diligently monitoring the case. Consular officials have conducted four visits to provide protective services and maintain close contact with the individual’s family, a commitment echoed by the services of the Quai d’Orsay in Paris.
Within Senegal, a predominantly Muslim nation, same-sex relationships are widely viewed as a deviation. The current administration had long pledged to intensify the crackdown on such acts, a stance that resonated politically. Upon the law’s enactment by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, condemned it as a clear violation of fundamental human rights.
A spokesperson for the Quai d’Orsay previously voiced serious concerns regarding the increased penalties for LGBT+ individuals in Senegal, along with the introduction of new offenses criminalizing the advocacy or funding of homosexuality. France reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the universal and indivisible respect for human rights. The nation also stresses its dedication to the global decriminalization of homosexuality, advocating for the rights of LGBT+ persons, and combating discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
