Senegal PM proposes doubling jail terms for same-sex acts
DW.com • • world
Key Points:
- Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko proposed legislation to double the maximum prison sentence for same-sex relations from five to ten years, describing such acts as "against nature."
- The bill, which also addresses child sex abuse, would keep same-sex relations as a mid-level misdemeanor, with harsher penalties if committed with a minor; it must be voted on by lawmakers, though no date is set.
- The proposal follows recent high-profile arrests for alleged same-sex acts, sparking widespread media coverage and public debate in the Muslim-majority country.
- Human rights groups warn that the legislation would increase stigmatization and violence against LGBTQ+ individuals and people living with HIV/AIDS, urging the government to repeal discriminatory laws and protect human rights.
