Human rights defenders in Senegal at heightened risk from anti-LGBTQ+ law
Front Line Defenders expresses its deep concern over the deteriorating situation of LGBTQ+ rights defenders due to the increased criminalisation and punishments for defending LGBTQ+ rights. On 30 March 2026, the President of the Republic of Senegal signed into law Act No. 2026-08 amending Article 319 of the Penal Code. Adopted on 11 March 2026 by the National Assembly with an overwhelming majority, this law significantly increases the penalties applicable to “acts against nature,” a term used in Senegalese law to refer to sexual relations between people of the same gender. Prison sentences increased from 1–5 years to 5–10 years in prison, and fines rose to from approximately €150 - €2,2200 (CFA 100,000 – 1,5 million) to €3,000 - €15,000 (CFA 2–10 million). The amended law also specifically targets human rights defenders and civil society organisations by criminalising solidarity with LGBTQ+ persons. It creates a legal and social environment that directly exposes human rights defenders to arbitrary prosecution, intimidation, and restrictions on their legitimate work by equating their protection and advocacy activities with criminal offenses.
Following the arrest of twelve people in Dakar in early February 2026, including two public figures, for “acts against nature”, political actors in Senegal have revived initiatives aimed at tightening the existing legal framework and consequently passed the amendments to Article 319 of the Penal Code in March 2026.
The amended law provides for 3–7 years in prison for “promotion,” broadly defined as any public representation through speech, writing, images, or sound intended to “promote homosexuality, bisexuality, or trans-sexuality.” Funding or supporting such activities is therefore also punishable and those convicted may face the loss of their civil rights. This criminalisation severely risks an exacerbated marginalisation of LGBTQ+ persons and increase the risk of human rights defenders engaged in, for example, advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights.
Front Line Defenders emphasises that this law is not limited to criminalising LGBTQ+ relationships between consenting adults. Its scope is deliberately broad, extending to the entire civic sphere and human solidarity. The provision on “promotion,” for example, is phrased broadly enough to criminalise the work of journalists, activists, healthcare professionals, lawyers, and civil society organizations that document human rights violations or provide services to LGBTQ+ persons. Funding or supporting such activities is subject to criminal prosecution, which directly undermines the ability of local, national, and international organisations to operate in Senegal. For instance, the operations of HIV/AIDS programmes are at risk, and in the context of the arrests in early February, the Executive Secretariat of the National Council for the Fight Against AIDS (CNLS) warned against the health risks resulting from restrictions imposed by Article 319.
Due to the intense hostility and the spread of hate speech against LGBTQ+ persons, there is a substantial risk of misusing the anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Senegal to lodge false allegations of, for example, an LGBTQ+ relationship, to inflict harm on someone because of a personal conflict or interests. Although the amended law includes a provision penalising “bad-faith statements”, this provision is broadly and vaguely defined, and may not protect LGBTQ+ rights defenders from false allegations that could result in persecution and criminalisation.
Already before and during the period of the amendment, the situation for human rights defenders in Senegal was rapidly deteriorating. Between February and April 2026, Front Line Defenders received fifteen requests from LGBTQ+ rights defenders for support and protection measures, and several of these defenders have fled Senegal due to persecution and risks to their safety. Human rights defenders reported living in fear and in hiding as surveillance by the police has intensified. Front Line Defenders received reports from local partners indicating that in February and March 2026, at least 70 people were arrested in connection with anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. Reportedly, police officers confiscated phones to track down networks, and designated safe spaces are being forced to close for fear of criminal prosecution. Hostile rhetoric is circulating on social media, exposing LGBTQ+ persons and human rights defenders to attacks.
Front Line Defenders is deeply concerned over the increasing hostility against LGBTQ+ rights defenders in Senegal. The amended law and the concomitant exacerbated stigmatisation, criminalisation, and punishment of LGBTQ+ rights defenders marks a further escalation in the persecution of the Senegalese LGBTQ+ community, which has been suffering from severe human rights violations and has been exposed to a dangerous and extremely hostile environment in Senegal for decades. In light of the climate of fear in Senegal and the structural violence against LGBTQ+ persons, Front Line Defenders reiterates that the protection of human dignity and the physical integrity of every person, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, constitutes a universal obligation.
Front Line Defenders echoes the statement by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, that the new law enacted in Senegal “violates fundamental human rights”, and reminds Senegal of its obligations as a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Front Line Defenders urges the authorities in Senegal to repeal the law as it violates international human rights law. Human rights defenders arbitrarily detained in accordance with Law No. 2026-08 or the former version of Article 319 of the Penal Code must be released. The United Nations, in particular the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Senegal’s bilateral partner countries, and international donors must monitor and support local organisations. African regional partners and governments must refrain from passing similar laws that exacerbate the situation of LGBTQ+ right defenders and persons.
