Senegal has seen a significant escalation in the crackdown against its LGBTQ+ community, with more than 230 individuals arrested since February on charges related to “acts against nature,” according to a recent report by Human Rights Watch (HRW). Among those detained, at least 84 have faced additional allegations of “voluntary HIV transmission” based solely on their HIV status, raising concerns about the misuse of health information and legal provisions.
The heightened enforcement follows changes to Senegal’s penal code that came into effect on March 11, 2026, doubling the maximum prison sentence for consensual same-sex relations from five to 10 years. The amendments also introduced penalties of up to seven years in prison and fines ranging from 500,000 to 5 million CFA francs (approximately £650-£6,500) for promoting homosexuality or for supporting LGBTQ+ individuals and organizations. This legal tightening has reportedly led to widespread fear among LGBTQ+ people, many of whom have gone into hiding, limited their movements, relocated, or fled the country.
Authorities have conducted arrests across Senegal, sometimes based on information obtained from seized phones, third-party reports, or raids on private properties. Legal professionals report being reluctant to represent arrested individuals due to fears of prosecution, while healthcare providers note a decline in people seeking HIV testing and treatment as a result of the hostile environment. A consultant with the HIV Justice Network indicated that some HIV clinics have witnessed a drop in attendance, which could undermine the country’s previously successful HIV response.
The use of “voluntary HIV transmission” charges has drawn criticism as problematic and disproportionate. Many accused individuals reportedly discovered their HIV status upon arrest or were on treatment that effectively prevents transmission. Human rights advocates argue that such accusations contribute to stigma and violate confidentiality, especially given reports of police leaking private information to the media, which has exposed accused persons to social rejection, threats, and potential violence.
The crackdown has prompted concern over violations of domestic and international legal standards guaranteeing rights to fair trial, privacy, and non-discrimination. Experts have highlighted that Senegal’s measures are part of a wider trend in sub-Saharan Africa involving more punitive legislation against LGBTQ+ people. Recent developments in the region include Niger’s first-ever criminalization of same-sex relations, new laws passed in Ghana criminalizing LGBTQ+ activities (pending presidential approval), and the enactment of Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act, which imposes a death penalty for homosexual acts.
During Senegal’s 2024 presidential campaign, candidates including Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the eventual winner, and former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko pledged to strengthen laws against same-sex relations, framing it as a national priority. Human Rights Watch has called on the Senegalese government to halt the crackdown, emphasizing the damaging effects on the LGBTQ+ community’s health, safety, and fundamental rights.