FILE PHOTO: SENSITIVE MATERIAL. THIS IMAGE MAY OFFEND OR DISTURB. Anti‑LGBT supporters march through the streets during a protest calling for tougher action after authorities detained people for what police said were crimes including same‑sex intercourse and intentional HIV transmission, and about a dozen others, in what police said was a child‑abuse network, in Dakar, Senegal, February 14, 2026. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra/File Photo
In Senegal, a French national has been held in detention for three months following an arrest linked to allegations of homosexuality. The case comes amid a broader crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights in the country, where authorities have recently passed stricter legislation criminalizing same-sex relations.
The individual, a 30-year-old engineer residing in Dakar, was taken into custody on February 14. According to official sources, the arrest was part of a sweeping operation targeting multiple individuals on charges including acts against nature, criminal conspiracy, money laundering, and attempted HIV transmission.
Diplomatic intervention and ongoing scrutiny
French authorities have closely monitored the situation since the detainee’s arrest. The French embassy in Dakar has conducted four consular visits to ensure the individual’s welfare, while maintaining close contact with family members in France. The Quai d’Orsay in Paris has also remained actively engaged in the case, underscoring France’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad.
Escalating legal repression of LGBTQ+ rights
Senegal’s National Assembly approved a controversial amendment in early March, increasing penalties for same-sex relations to five to ten years in prison. The law was officially enacted on March 31 by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, intensifying an already hostile environment for LGBTQ+ individuals in the predominantly Muslim nation.
The crackdown reflects a growing wave of homophobia in Senegal, marked by a series of high-profile arrests and prosecutions under the new legal framework. Same-sex relationships have long been stigmatized in the country, and the government’s recent moves have drawn both domestic and international criticism.
France’s stance on human rights and LGBTQ+ protections
The French government has reiterated its unwavering support for universal human rights, emphasizing the indivisibility of these principles. In a statement, officials reaffirmed their dedication to advancing the global decriminalization of homosexuality, defending the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, and combating discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
