DAKAR, Senegal — More than 320 people have been arrested since February on “acts against nature” allegations in Senegal, and LGBTQ+ people are going into hiding amid forced HIV testing and pressure on lawyers, Human Rights Watch said in a report covered by The Guardian on Thursday.
At least 84 of those detained were charged with “voluntary HIV transmission” based solely on HIV status, according to HIV Justice Network figures cited in the report. Senegal’s parliament in March doubled the maximum prison term for consensual same-sex relations to 10 years and added up to seven years and heavy fines for “promoting” homosexuality or financing LGBTQ groups.
“LGBTQ+ people are being forced to curb their normal activities … for fear of arrest and increased stigma,” HRW researcher Larissa Kojoué said. Police have used seized phones, tip-offs and raids on private homes; lawyers told HRW they fear prosecution for representing clients, and doctors said people are avoiding HIV testing, The Guardian reported.
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and former prime minister Ousmane Sonko backed tougher laws during the 2024 campaign. Activists say media leaks of HIV status and identities have exposed people to stigma and violence. Senegal once had a stronger HIV response in the region; consultants warn the crackdown is driving patients away from clinics.
Sources: The Guardian
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