The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) and Inner Circle are outraged at reports that a 17 year-old Senegalese man will stand trial on August 24 for sexual acts "against nature" and that two other men were convicted on identical charges during the week of August 10, 2009.
The three men, all from the town of Darou Mousty, in Louga, Senegal, were arrested and detained for alleged same-sex relations on June 19, 2009, together with a fourth man whose status is currently unknown. The first two men were sentenced to two and five years in prison respectively. Reports indicate that denunciations from neighbors were the only evidence against the men.
These are the latest in a pattern of arbitrary arrests and detentions based on perceived sexual orientation in Senegal, a country in which same-sex relations are illegal, homophobia is widespread, and incitement toward violence against those perceived to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender is often encouraged by politicians and religious leaders.
"This is yet another indication that gay men and those perceived to be gay are in grave danger in Senegal," said IGLHRC executive director Cary Alan Johnson. "The arrests violate both international and African human rights law. Unpopularity is never a justification for abuse."
Human rights abuses related to sexual orientation and gender identity in Senegal have accelerated since February 2008, when 10 people were arbitrarily arrested and charged with "homosexuality, incitement to debauchery and corruption of good behavior," after popular tabloid Icône published pictures of a ceremony to affirm a gay relationship. In a separate incident in August 2008, two men were arrested at their home in Dakar for "homosexual marriage" and also charged with "acts against the order of nature." In December 2008, nine members of AIDES Sénégal who were participating in an education workshop to combat HIV and AIDS were arrested and sentenced to 8 years in prison for "indecent conduct and unnatural acts" and "conspiracy." The Court of Appeals in Dakar overturned their conviction in April 2009.
Violence and official persecution of those perceived to be LGBT is also evidenced by several disturbing incidents in which the graves of men perceived to be gay have been desecrated and their bodies exhumed. In May 2009, the body of 30-year old Madièye Diallo was dug up from his grave in the town of Thiès. After his family re-buried him, his body was exhumed again and dumped outside the family's home. Finally, family members buried the body in the grounds of their own house.
Religious and political leaders in Senegal have stoked the flames of hatred. In recent months, representatives from both sectors have loudly condemned same-sex practicing people. Addressing the release of the December 2008 detainees, Massamba Diop, the Imam of Pikine, told his congregants that: "the judge was too lenient, we should have killed them." In May 2009, Prime Minister Souleymane Ndiaye Ndéné asserted that "homosexuality… is a sign of a crisis of values" in Senegal and that the Senegalese government would become more involved in future attempts to repress and punish same-sex relations.
"The Imam of Pikine is inciting his congregation to murder," according to Imam Muhsin Hendricks, Director and Spiritual Advisor of the Inner Circle, an Islamic human rights organization based in South Africa. "But the Quran instructs us in Surah 2:179 that 'in the law of equality there is the saving of life, o you men of understanding so that you may restrain yourselves.'"
Under Article 3.913 of the Senegalese penal code, homosexual acts are punishable by imprisonment of between one and five years and a fine of 100,000 CFA francs ($200) to 1,500,000 CFA francs ($3,000). Both IGLHRC and the Inner Circle have called for the repeal of this legislation, which empowers police and other authorities to abuse, harass, extort, and imprison those whose sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression challenges social norms.
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This is terrible what is happening to these people. Homosexuality is not a choice and for many people who are born this way this treatment of them should not be allowed.
The Senegal Government have no right to interfere in people's personal life and they should be ashamed of themselves.
The reason people hate Homosexuals so much is not because it is wrong but because Governments like Senegal promote hate. The Senegal Government are making stupid mistakes and people all over the world not just in Europe are saying this Government is too backward to be in power.
Violence against man or woman, cloaked in a religious cover, is an evil act. No matter the offense against cause or moral, adding violence to the act or issue aligns the perperators with the the legion of criminals whose weakness always results in violence.
Social inequities, poverty, lack of education and nearly nil opportunities for work and advancement are issues people and governments should address and work to eradicate. Spending the time and money of courts, police, and the state on acts while not condoned, are no less private than others, reflects the weakness of the social, and religious institutions so noble in the view of the agressors.
How easy is it to attack, harm, maim, and kill....brothers, sisters, elders, kin...how much more noble and difficult it is to open your minds and hearts to human differences, share the strengths of all and build a nation that is prideful of all...
Religions are born from the vice and sorrow of man..struggling to align us with a more virtuous path and goal ..no matter mosque, cathedral, or temple...the core of any is kindness, healing, and hope for all......
Any leader or member, suggesting or enacting violence has failed the basic core values of restraint, understanding, and peace ...they are no more respected figures, but common criminals guilty in front of God and should themselves seek forgiveness and healing. Those that speak out, and those that follow the same without using their own values, minds, and morals share equal shame and distaste.
my dear brother or sister, you have kindly miss the point. How will a conducive and righteous governments prevail for there people in Africa when the government will have to spend billions on man made diseases affecting the people? How? I said it and I'm saying it again; Gay or homosexuality is a sick lifestyles, it was never meant to be for Africa. Do you know how much money an/a average African country is spending on a disease not cause by there people? Do you? Such a huge money can be spend for development, right? Please double think before you say something like that. Accepting unwanted behaviours is a total destruction for Africans. I mean total destructions. How long should Africans be accepting all types of negativities? I see the reasons why their Televisions keep laughing at us "Africans" is because of people like you who don't care for the rest of Africans only for those that suit your taste. You are a shame just as they rest of the unconcern Africans.
We posit now and always that abnormal,sick, wayward lifestyles(Homosexuality,lesbianism) should be razed whenever and wherever found on the African space.These evil behaviour belongs to the Europeans and as such should only exist in their backyards,it,s not African and is rejected in all totality. Gay rights my foot, these people have a plan to contaminate and finally destroy Africa one way or the other,our Govts should take this very serious because it,s indeed a serious issue.KICK WACKY EVILS OUT OF AFRICA.
The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) & African Human Rights Law,
I support comments made by rafil.
As the saying goes, when you go to Rome do what the Romans do, that is why when Africans travel to America or Europe, we obey the laws of these countries. This is a strange life style that should neither be encouraged in Africa nor giving publicity. Our grandparents and forefathers did not engage in man sleeping with his friend man or woman doing likewise.
Africa has important things to focus on and not minor issue like gays and/or lesbians recognition. Senegal is an independent country in Africa and has the right to protect its citizens against teachings and doctrines that are considered public health hazard. Under Article 3.913 of the Senegalese penal code, homosexual acts are punishable by imprisonment of between one and five years and a fine of 100,000 CFA francs ($200) to 1,500,000 CFA francs ($3,000). Both IGLHRC and the Inner Circle have called for the repeal of this legislation, which empowers police and other authorities to abuse, harass, extort, and imprison those whose sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression challenges social norms
Why should Europe or western countries refuse to recognize polygamy which forms core part of our culture, civilization, traditions? Because anything that originates from Africa is considered uncivilized and evil but if it is from your end Africans should clap their hands and rejoice.
For example, during the civil war in Liberia, fighters were butt naked and were described by the western media as uncivilized and barbaric ways of life. But nowadays, we see actors and artists go on stage, in magazines, or dress naked and citizens ride bicycles naked in your streets but they are giving standing ovation, but had it been an African behaving in such manner, it will be described the other way around.
For the African Human Rights Law, this is not part of the human rights issues you should use your energies to finding solutions to both Sudan and Somalia catastrophic situations and work towards bringing about human decency in that country. Try not to be like a dumb driven cattle please do not be a copy cat. Africa has her own lifestyles and for that matter Africans should not encourage importing foreign ideology to the continent. All we need in Africa is a development-oriented programs such as universities, colleges, technical institutions, farms to market roads, hospitals, transportation, electricity, telecommunications linking African countries directly, etc., but not gay marriages or lesbian engagements.
Have you forgotten where they say Aids came from? Yes, from Africa but kindly read The truth about the aids epidemic by Dr. Gary Glum published in 1994.
I want to remind you that there are countries in the world like Lebanon that do not want their females to marry Africans if they did, these girls are ostracized from their families or if they returned home, they face serious punishments. But they continue to abuse, use and misuse our beautiful African women like childrens toys and you say nothing about this behavior but rather just sit supinely in your plush offices and ride your luxurious cars and you now want to defend gay lesbians rights in Senegal.
Please leave the peoples of Senegal in particular and Africa to decide what is best for them. Keep your judgment for judgment day.
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