Senagalese Criminalizes of the LGBTQ Community

"In many African languages, including Wolof [the local language in Senegal], terms have long existed to describe realities related to homosexuality, proof that it is neither new nor imported."

"On the other hand, the laws that repress them are, for the most part, a legacy of colonisation. Whether it be the French-inspired penal codes or the 'sodomy laws' introduced by the British Empire during the reign of Queen Victoria, these provisions were imposed from outside. And the foreign forces pushing Senegal to prosecute homosexual and transgender people, and even to ban any calm debate on the issue, are very diverse." 

"Furthermore, several African countries have recently moved towards greater recognition of rights: Botswana, Mozambique, Gabon and Angola have decriminalised homosexuality in recent years. These choices show that, within Africa itself, there are diverse paths forward, and that no inevitability condemns the continent to repression." 

Open letter sent last May to President Faye of Senegal

Senegal will host the first-ever Olympic sporting event on African soil – the fourth edition of the Youth Olympic Games from Oct 31 to Nov 13.  PHOTO: REUTERS

 

"The Olympic Charter prohibits discrimination on any grounds and commits host countries to respect human rights and human dignity."

"The ongoing government crackdown on LGBT people raises serious concerns about Senegal's compliance with international law, the Olympic charter, and Senegal's own laws."

HRW/ Larissa Kojoue, HRW rights researcher 

The West African nation of Senegal adopted new legislation in March that would widen the penalties already on its books for same-sex relations up to a ten-year prison sentence. Recent months have seen the predominantly Muslim country experiencing a wave of homophobia -- with dozens of people arrested on suspicion of same-sex relations.

 

In August, 71 men were referred to trial for "acts against nature", a quaint term referring to same-sex relations. This, at a time when the country is set to be the first African country to host the first Olympic sporting event, set to welcome 2,700 young athletes for the fourth edition of the October 31 to November 13 Youth Olympic Games. 

 

Senegal is set to host Dakar 2026 amid allegations of human rights violations towards its LGBT+ community.    Seyllou/GETTY IMAGES

 

Criticism of Senegal's move to double its punishment for those caught, or assumed to be engaging in same-sex acts that the population views as religiously reprehensible, has questioned its commitment to upholding the requisite standards in human rights spelled out in the code of the Olympic charter. Human Rights Watch came right to the point: that in Senegal, "rights causing increasing fear and stigma are being violated, and should be ended immediately". 

 

Fear of arrest and stigma, stressed the rights group, drives individuals into hiding. The targeted 'criminals' avoid being tested for HIV and much-needed treatment, a situation serving as well to deter the legal community from engaging in legal representational relations with members of the LGBTQ community. They are left in abandonment, to defend themselves in a country that denies them defence.

 

The law abridging their human rights was passed in the National Assembly by an overwhelming majority. A law which establishes criminal penalties for anyone found guilty of promoting or financing same-sex relationships. Senegal also denounces LGBTQ rights advocacy as a method the West uses to impose their own nihilistic values on other countries.

 

IOC says it has 'full confidence' in Senegal authorities, as report lays out scale of the Youth Olympics host nation’s anti-LGBTQ crackdown.   outsports.com