In early 2026 Senegal intensified its campaign against sexual minorities. Since the parliamentary vote on March 11, 2026 that doubled the maximum prison term for consensual same-sex relations to ten years, security forces have detained hundreds of people suspected of acts against nature. The crackdown now includes punitive measures for any perceived promotion or financial support of LGBTQ+ groups, fines ranging from 500,000 to 5 million CFA francs, and a newly-introduced offence of “voluntary HIV transmission”.
Revised penal code and the surge in detentions
The amendment to article 319 of the penal code was passed unanimously (135-0-3). It not only raised the prison ceiling for consensual same-sex conduct to ten years, but also created a separate clause that can imprison individuals for up to seven years and levy hefty fines for “glorifying” homosexuality or financing LGBTQ+ organisations. Within weeks of the law’s publication, the HIV Justice Network reported that more than 320 people had been arrested on the basis of alleged “acts against nature”. A parallel survey by the African Forum for the Defense of Human Rights (RADDHO) counted 212 arrests between February and July, while the same network later warned that the total exceeded 300 by the end of the month.
Authorities say they act on intelligence obtained from seized mobile phones, third-party accusations, and raids on private residences. Those arrested have been held in facilities across the country, from Dakar and Thiès to Saint Louis and Ziguinchor. Many detentions have been accompanied by accusations of voluntary HIV transmission a charge that does not appear in the March amendment but has been applied in practice.
Health coercion and the erosion of legal aid
One of the most alarming aspects of the campaign is the systematic use of mandatory HIV testing. Detainees report being tested without informed consent, and in several cases the result has been used to justify additional criminal charges or to extend pre-trial detention. Doctors consulted by Human Rights Watch noted a sharp drop in clinic attendance: “One-third of our patients have stopped coming for treatment,” one physician said, adding that fear of police-linked testing is driving people underground.
The Human Rights Watch researcher Larissa Kojoué warned that “LGBTQ+ people are being forced to curb their normal activities … for fear of arrest and increased stigma.” The same report highlighted that lawyers are now reluctant to represent suspected LGBTQ+ defendants. A Dakar-based attorney told the investigators that colleagues and even family members urged him to avoid such cases, fearing that the state could prosecute the counsel themselves. This chilling effect undermines the constitutional guarantee of a fair trial and violates Principle 18 of the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers.
International obligations and the looming Youth Olympics
Senegal’s Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights all enshrine the rights to privacy, non-discrimination, and due process. The country also enacted Law No. 2010-03 on HIV/AIDS, which explicitly protects the confidentiality of test results and bars compulsory testing of detainees. Yet the current enforcement practices run counter to these commitments, prompting criticism from both Human Rights Watch and the United Nations Human Rights Committee.
Compounding the diplomatic fallout, Senegal is set to host the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games from October 31 to November 13. The Olympic Charter prohibits discrimination on any grounds, obligating the host nation to safeguard human dignity. Sylvie Beaumont a consultant with the HIV Justice Network, remarked, “The consequences are really bad and it’s sad because Senegal was a country that was doing well with their HIV response. They are shooting themselves in the foot.” International observers therefore argue that the ongoing repression jeopardizes Senegal’s ability to meet the charter’s standards.
While Senegal’s crackdown mirrors a broader trend of punitive legislation across sub-Saharan Africa – from Niger’s new same-sex ban to Ghana’s pending “LGBTQ+ activities” bill – the scale of forced medical testing and the systematic intimidation of legal professionals appear unprecedented. As pressure mounts from domestic civil-society groups and foreign human-rights bodies, the government’s next steps will be closely watched in the run-up to the Youth Olympics and beyond.
