A 30-year-old French engineer has been held in detention in Dakar for three months following an arrest tied to alleged same-sex relations and financial crimes, according to diplomatic sources. The case has intensified concerns over human rights in Senegal, where a new law passed in early March now imposes five-to-ten-year prison sentences for same-sex relationships.
Detention and legal backdrop
The arrest occurred on February 14, 2026, during a broader crackdown involving charges of “unnatural acts,” conspiracy, money laundering, and alleged HIV transmission. Diplomatic channels confirm that the individual, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, has received four consular visits since being detained.
France has stated it is monitoring the situation closely, with officials from the Quai d’Orsay coordinating with the family and local authorities to ensure consular protection is upheld. The French government has reiterated its commitment to universal human rights, including the decriminalization of homosexuality and the protection of LGBTQ+ individuals against discrimination.
Legislative shift fuels discrimination
The new legislation, signed into law by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on March 31, reflects a broader trend of increasing hostility toward LGBTQ+ communities in Senegal. The move follows a wave of arrests targeting celebrities and activists, reinforcing the criminalization of same-sex relationships—a stance rooted in conservative social norms and long-standing political rhetoric.
Human rights advocates warn that such laws not only violate fundamental freedoms but also foster a climate of fear and persecution. International observers continue to scrutinize Senegal’s adherence to human rights conventions, particularly as the country’s legal framework tightens around issues of sexual orientation and gender identity.
