Senegal has intensified its crackdown on LGBTQ+ individuals, with reports indicating mass arrests, forced HIV testing, and restricted access to legal counsel as part of the government’s enforcement actions. Since February, more than 320 people have been detained on charges related to “acts against nature,” according to data compiled by the HIV Justice Network.
The situation has escalated following a legislative change earlier this year. In March, Senegal increased the maximum prison sentence for consensual same-sex relations from five to 10 years, signaling a harsher approach to LGBTQ+ rights within the country.
Among those arrested, at least 84 individuals have faced additional charges of “voluntary HIV transmission,” based solely on their HIV-positive status rather than evidence of transmission. This development has raised concerns among human rights advocates about the use of health status as a tool for criminal prosecution.
The crackdown reportedly involves coercive measures, including forced HIV testing during detention and limitations on detainees’ ability to secure legal representation. Such practices have drawn condemnation from international organizations and local advocacy groups, who argue that these actions violate fundamental rights and exacerbate stigma against marginalized communities.
Senegal’s government has defended the enforcement of its laws, emphasizing the country’s legal framework that criminalizes same-sex relations and protects public health. Supporters of the current policy argue that the measures are necessary to uphold societal norms and combat the spread of HIV.
However, critics warn that the punitive approach may undermine public health efforts by driving vulnerable populations underground and discouraging individuals from seeking medical care. They also highlight the disproportionate impact on LGBTQ+ people, stressing the need for policies that respect human rights and promote social inclusion.
As Senegal continues to implement the amended law, the international community remains watchful of the situation, calling for dialogue and reforms that balance legal enforcement with human rights protections.