A French national has been held in detention in Senegal since February 14, facing accusations primarily centered on “acts against nature”. This arrest unfolds in a nation where penalties for homosexual relations have seen recent intensification, according to information obtained from diplomatic sources.
The French citizen, an engineer in his thirties residing in Dakar, was apprehended on February 14, 2026. Charges include “acts against nature,” “criminal association,” “money laundering,” and “attempted transmission of HIV,” occurring amidst a series of arrests. The French embassy in Dakar is closely monitoring the situation, with consular officials having visited the individual four times as part of their protective duties. They maintain regular contact with his family, a practice also followed by officials at the Quai d’Orsay in Paris.
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Increased arrests targeting presumed homosexuality
In a significant legislative development, Senegal, a predominantly Muslim nation, enacted a new law in early March that now mandates prison sentences ranging from five to ten years for homosexual relations. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye formally promulgated this legislation on March 31.
This legal shift unfolds against a backdrop of escalating homophobic sentiment and a surge in arrests targeting individuals suspected of homosexuality across the country. In Senegal, same-sex relationships are widely viewed as a deviation, and the stricter enforcement of these prohibitions represents a long-standing political commitment from the current ruling party, resonating strongly with a segment of the electorate.
France has reiterated its unwavering commitment to the universal and indivisible respect for human rights. It also continues its advocacy for the global decriminalization of homosexuality, the protection of LGBT+ individuals’ rights, and the vigorous opposition to discrimination rooted in sexual orientation and gender identity.
