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Senegal Signs Law Doubling Penalty on Same-Sex Relations

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has signed into law legislation doubling the maximum penalty for same-sex relations, making them punishable by up to 10 years in prison. 

The law previously allowed prison terms of up to five years for what the penal code describes as "acts against nature." The new law also criminalised the promotion of homosexuality, and increased fines to up to 10 million CFA francs. It barred judges from issuing suspended sentences or reducing minimum prison terms.

Rights groups have said that the move reflected a broader trend of tightening anti-LGBTQI+ laws in parts of Africa, with similar developments in countries such as Burkina Faso and Ghana.

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Most African countries have tough anti-gay laws.

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