LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Senegal’s parliament is preparing to debate a controversial bill that would double prison sentences for same-sex relations.
The proposed legislation would also expand penalties for LGBTQ advocacy, a move that comes amid a surge in arrests and growing public backlash.
According to an official document from the National Assembly of Senegal, legislators “are summoned to a plenary session on Wednesday, March 11, 2026” to review the proposed legislation. Parliamentary debates in Senegal are typically followed by a vote on the same day, setting the stage for a rapid decision on a measure that has stirred intense public discussion.
The proposed changes come after Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko introduced the bill late last month. If approved, the measure would double the current maximum punishment for same-sex relations to 10 years in prison, reflecting growing political momentum around a topic that remains deeply contentious in the predominantly Muslim West African nation.
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Meanwhile, recent weeks have seen an escalation in law enforcement actions targeting alleged same-sex relationships. Earlier in February, authorities detained about a dozen men, including two local celebrities, accusing them of “acts against nature,” a phrase commonly used in the country’s legal code to refer to same-sex relations.
Subsequently, reports in local media indicated that arrests continued almost daily. At least 30 individuals have been detained, according to press accounts, often following accusations and searches of mobile phones. Names of some detainees have been publicly circulated, intensifying scrutiny and online harassment.
Human rights organizations have voiced concern over the developments, warning that the arrests and public exposure of suspects could deepen social tensions. The controversy has grown further after some detainees were accused of deliberately transmitting HIV, allegations that have fueled heated debates across social media and political circles.
Beyond increasing prison terms, the bill would also introduce new penalties for those who publicly support LGBTQ rights. Under the proposal from Sonko’s government, individuals advocating for LGBTQ people could face prison sentences ranging from three to seven years.
Debate in the National Assembly now stands as the next critical moment in the unfolding controversy, with the outcome likely to shape both legal enforcement and the broader social conversation in Senegal for years to come.
