Senegal Doubles Prison Term for Same-Sex Relations in Penal Code Reform

Senegal’s parliament on Wednesday approved a controversial amendment that doubles the maximum prison sentence for same-sex relations to 10 years, introducing one of the region’s strictest anti-LGBTQ+ measures.

The government-backed bill was passed overwhelmingly, with 135 lawmakers voting in favor, none opposing, and three abstaining. The law now awaits the president’s signature to come into effect.

The legislation targets what the penal code defines as “acts against nature,” raising the previous maximum sentence from five years to a decade. It also increases fines for promoting homosexuality from 1.5 million CFA francs ($2,676) to 10 million CFA francs ($17,700), while prohibiting judges from issuing suspended sentences or reducing prison terms below the statutory minimum.

Interior Minister Mouhamadou Bamba Cissé, who defended the measure in parliament, said the reform reflects Senegal’s efforts to update its Penal Code to align with societal norms and strengthen protection for vulnerable populations. Parliamentary debates highlighted issues such as child protection, sexual violence, and the preservation of public morals and human dignity.

The passage of this law forms part of a broader amendment to Article 319 of the Penal Code, which aims to modernize penalties for offenses against morality. Of 165 registered parliamentarians, 138 voted for the wider reforms, with three abstentions. The updated legislation increases prison sentences and fines for various offenses and tightens rules on suspended sentences.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko had campaigned on this policy platform during the 2024 elections, framing it as a major promise to reinforce Senegal’s moral and legal framework.

The measure has drawn attention from human rights organizations, which have raised concerns about protections for sexual minorities under the revised law.