Senegal seeks 10-year jail term for gays in new anti-LGBT bill
Lawmakers in Senegal are seeking stricter law against same sex relationship with a newly proposed 10-year prison sentence for individuals found guilty of the act.
The proposed legislation approved last week by cabinet was transmitted to the lawmakers on Tuesday following a wave of multiple arrests of individuals involving in same-sex acts.
Under the current laws, same-sex acts are punishable by between one and five years in prison, as well as fines but the new proposal seeks to raise the maximum sentence to 10 years.
Prime Minister of Senegal, Ousmane Sonko, while addressing the lawmakers described the act as “against nature,” adding that “if an act was committed against a minor, it will attract the maximum penalty.” The BBC reported.
Under Senegalese law, a person slammed with a maximum penalty usually serves life in prison.
The bill also proposes a three to seven- year jail term for individuals found to be promoting or advocating same-sex relations.
It prescribed penalties for individuals who accuse others of same sex “without proof.”
The proposed bill recommends that fines of up to 10 million CFA, about $18000 will be imposed on persons found guilty of any of the crimes relating to the act, including accusations of same-sex relations without proof and advocating and promoting the act.
Human rights group such as the Human Rights Watch described the proposed bill as a “violation of multiple internationally protected rights, including equality and non-discrimination.”
However, no date has been set for a parliamentary vote on the bill, in a chamber dominated by Mr Sanko Pastef party.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
World
Russian strike on humanitarian centre killed at least 26 Ukrainians: Officials
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described it as “a vile terrorist strike”, accusing Russia of deliberately targeting civilians receiving humanitarian assistance.
Economy
Continent’s financial leaders to meet at 2026 Africa Compliance Forum
Afreximbank said African banks operated under different legal systems and supervisory approaches, making regulatory cooperation crucial to reducing trade barriers.
Politics
2027 Elections: ‘We won’t go to court; matter will be settled on the streets,’ says ADC chief
“We are announcing to Tinubu and the APC that this time around, we will defend ourselves. We will not go to court; we will settle the matter on the streets,” said the ADC chief.
Faith
Sultan of Sokoto’s reign has reunited Christians, Muslims in Nigeria: Tinubu
Mr Tinubu described the sultan as “a moral authority, a bridge between faiths, a voice of moderation, and a steady counsellor to leaders across the country”.
Lagos
Lagos gives ISPs deadline to clean up network cables
LASIMRA warned that enforcement operations would begin on Monday, urging all concerned firms to complete the required work before the deadline to avoid sanctions.
Economy
Trump removes South Africa from AGOA citing corruption, national security concerns
The suspension would take effect on January 1, 2027, further complicating already strained relations between Washington and South Africa.
