- A French national has been incarcerated in Senegal since February 14, facing charges that include “unnatural acts.”
- Senegal significantly strengthened its laws against homosexual relations in March, making them punishable by up to ten years in prison.
- The French embassy in Dakar is closely monitoring the situation of its citizen.
Our reporting confirms that a French citizen has been held in Senegal for two months. This individual was apprehended on February 14, 2026, on multiple charges including “unnatural acts, criminal association, money laundering, and attempted transmission of HIV,” as part of a broader wave of arrests. This detention unfolds amidst a rising climate of homophobia within the nation, marked by numerous arrests targeting individuals suspected of homosexuality.
UN criticizes new law for human rights violations
In March, Senegal enacted stricter legislation criminalizing same-sex relationships, which now carry penalties ranging from five to ten years of imprisonment. This legal shift has already seen consequences, with a young Senegalese man sentenced to six years in prison in April after being discovered in a same-sex encounter in a Dakar suburb. Regarding the French detainee, our embassy in Dakar is diligently overseeing the situation. Consular services have conducted four visits to our compatriot, providing essential protection, and maintain regular contact with their family, with support from the Quai d’Orsay in Paris.
In Senegal, a predominantly Muslim nation, same-sex relationships are widely viewed as a deviation from societal norms. The reinforcement of these punitive measures represents a long-standing political commitment by the ruling party, resonating strongly with a significant portion of the electorate. Upon its promulgation by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, condemned the law, asserting that it “violates” fundamental human rights.
A spokesperson for the Quai d’Orsay previously voiced deep “concern regarding the increased penalties for LGBT+ individuals in Senegal and the introduction of new offenses related to the advocacy or financing of homosexuality promotion.” France firmly reiterates its unwavering commitment to the universality and indivisibility of human rights. We also underscore our dedication to the global decriminalization of homosexuality, the protection of LGBT+ individuals’ rights, and the vigorous fight against all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
