• A French national has been held in detention in Senegal since February 14, facing charges including “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.

For two months now, a French citizen has been incarcerated in Senegal. Arrested on February 14, 2026, the individual faces multiple charges, including “unnatural acts,” criminal association, money laundering, and attempted HIV transmission. This detention occurred amidst a series of arrests targeting individuals suspected of homosexuality, reflecting a growing climate of homophobia within the nation.

UN condemns anti-LGBT+ law as ‘violation’ of human rights

In a move that has drawn international scrutiny, Senegal formally enacted tougher penalties for homosexual relations in March, now imposing sentences ranging from five to ten years imprisonment. This legislative change has already seen consequences, with a young Senegalese man receiving a six-year prison sentence in April after being apprehended in a same-sex sexual encounter in a Dakar suburb. Regarding the detained French citizen, our embassy in Dakar is diligently following the developments. Consular officials have conducted four visits, providing essential protection, and maintain regular communication with the individual’s family, as do the relevant departments in Paris.

In Senegal, a predominantly Muslim nation, same-sex relationships are widely considered a deviation from societal norms. The current administration’s commitment to reinforcing these repressive measures has long been a politically popular stance. However, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, strongly denounced the new law upon its promulgation by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, stating it “violates” fundamental human rights.

The French Foreign Ministry has previously voiced its deep concern regarding the escalated penalties for LGBT+ individuals in Senegal, alongside the introduction of new offenses related to advocating for or funding the promotion of homosexuality. France consistently reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the universality and indivisibility of human rights. It also champions the global decriminalization of homosexuality, advocating for the rights of LGBT+ persons and actively combating discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.