Senegal’s parliament has approved a tougher anti-gay law doubling prison sentences for same-sex acts to 10 years and criminalising the “promotion” of homosexuality, with the bill now awaiting presidential sign-off.
Senegal just got tougher on LGBTQ rights. Parliament has approved a bill doubling the maximum prison sentence for same-sex acts from five to 10 years, while also criminalising the “promotion” of homosexuality, the BBC reports.
The bill sailed through with 135 votes in favour, none against, and just three abstentions. It now sits on President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s desk awaiting signature.
Officials say it reflects Senegalese values, but rights groups warn it could fuel discrimination and violence against LGBTQ people. UN rights chief Volker Türk has urged the president not to sign, while health experts fear it could derail Senegal’s HIV prevention efforts.
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