French national detained in Senegal amid intensified anti-lgbt+ crackdown
- A French citizen has been held in Senegal since February 14, facing charges that include “acts against nature.”
- Senegal significantly strengthened its legislation against same-sex relations in March, with potential prison sentences now extending up to ten years.
- The French Embassy in Dakar is closely monitoring the evolving circumstances of this case.
For two months, a French national has been held in detention within Senegal. This individual was apprehended on February 14, 2026, facing accusations of “acts against nature,” “criminal association,” “money laundering,” and “attempted transmission of HIV,” as part of a broader series of arrests. This detention unfolds against a backdrop of escalating anti-homosexuality sentiment across the nation, marked by numerous arrests related to alleged homosexual activities.
Human rights concerns over toughened legislation
In March, Senegal enacted stricter laws targeting same-sex relationships, making them punishable by five to ten years in prison. This legal shift has already seen consequences, with a young Senegalese man receiving a six-year prison sentence in April after being found in a same-sex sexual encounter in a Dakar suburb. Regarding the detained French citizen, the French Embassy in Dakar has confirmed it is diligently observing the situation. Consular services have conducted four visits to the individual as part of their protective duties and maintain regular contact with his family, with support from relevant French governmental departments in Paris.
In Senegal, a nation with a Muslim majority, same-sex relations are widely regarded as a deviation from societal norms. The intensification of punitive measures against such relationships has been a consistent political pledge by the current ruling administration, resonating strongly with a significant portion of the populace. Following its promulgation by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, condemned the new law, asserting that it “flouts” fundamental human rights.
France has articulated its profound apprehension concerning the escalation of penalties for LGBT+ individuals in Senegal, alongside the introduction of new offenses related to the advocacy or financial backing of homosexual promotion. France consistently emphasizes its dedication to the universal and indivisible respect for human rights. It also reiterates its unwavering commitment to the global decriminalization of homosexuality, the safeguarding of LGBT+ rights, and the vigorous opposition to discrimination rooted in sexual orientation and gender identity.
