Senegal proposes bill to double jail term for same-sex relationships

Senegal’s Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, has unveiled a draft law seeking to increase the maximum prison sentence for same-sex relationships from five years to 10 years, in a move that has drawn criticism from human rights organisations.

Sonko presented the proposed legislation before parliament on Tuesday, stating that the amendment would revise existing provisions of the penal code. Under current law, same-sex relations are punishable by one to five years’ imprisonment. However, the new bill proposes a tougher penalty of five to 10 years for what the draft describes as acts “against nature.”

“Anyone committing an act against nature will be punished by five to 10 years’ imprisonment,” the prime minister told lawmakers during the session.

The proposed legislation was forwarded to the National Assembly after receiving cabinet approval last week. It follows a series of arrests in the West African country involving individuals accused of engaging in same-sex relations.

Bill expands penalties, includes advocacy provisions

According to Sonko, the bill not only addresses same-sex relations but also incorporates stricter penalties related to child sexual abuse. He said that if such acts are committed against a minor, the maximum sentence under the law would be imposed.

The draft further stipulates that “any sexual act or act of a sexual nature between two people of the same sex constitutes an act against nature,” reinforcing language already present in Senegal’s criminal code.

In addition, the bill proposes prison terms ranging from three to seven years for individuals found guilty of advocating for same-sex relationships. This provision has raised concerns among civil liberties groups, who argue that it could criminalise free expression and activism.

Controversy Erupts as US Government Moves to Discharge Transgender Troops from Military

The legislative move comes amid heightened public discourse in Senegal surrounding LGBTQ issues. In recent weeks, local media outlets have reported on alleged same-sex cases, at times linking them to a separate child sexual abuse investigation in which authorities dismantled a network accused of sexually exploiting minors and arrested 14 suspects.

Police earlier this month confirmed the arrest of several men under existing anti-LGBTQ laws, including two local celebrities and a journalist.

LGBTQ rights remain a deeply contentious subject in Senegal, where many religious and community organisations have consistently opposed liberalisation of laws governing same-sex conduct. Advocacy for LGBTQ rights is frequently criticised by conservative groups, who describe it as an imposition of foreign values.

Religious associations have staged demonstrations in recent years demanding harsher penalties for same-sex relations, reflecting strong societal resistance to policy reforms perceived as expanding LGBTQ protections.

A date for the parliamentary vote on the bill has yet to be announced. If passed, the amendment would mark one of the most stringent legal stances against same-sex relationships in the region, further intensifying debate over human rights, cultural values, and legal reform in Senegal.