French national detained in Senegal amidst anti-LGBT+ law enforcement

• A French citizen has been held in detention in Senegal since February 14, facing charges including “acts against nature.”
• The nation recently strengthened its legislation criminalizing same-sex relations, now carrying potential sentences of up to ten years in prison.
• The French Embassy in Dakar is closely monitoring the evolving situation.

For two months now, a French national has been held in custody in Senegal. This individual was apprehended on February 14, 2026, facing accusations of “acts against nature, criminal association, money laundering, and attempted HIV transmission.” This arrest occurred as part of a broader series of detentions, coinciding with a notable rise in homophobic sentiment across the country and numerous arrests targeting individuals suspected of homosexuality. 

un human rights official criticizes Senegal’s law

In March, Senegal intensified its legal framework against same-sex relations, which now carry penalties ranging from five to ten years in prison. This legal shift has already seen consequences, with a young Senegalese man receiving a six-year prison sentence in April after being apprehended in Dakar’s suburbs engaged in sexual relations with another man. Regarding the detained French citizen, the French Embassy in Dakar has confirmed it is diligently following the developments. Our consular services have conducted four visits to provide consular protection and maintain close contact with the individual’s family, as do the relevant departments in Paris.

In Senegal, a predominantly Muslim nation, same-sex relationships are widely viewed as a deviation. The government’s commitment to strengthening these repressive measures has long been a politically resonant promise. Upon its promulgation by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, voiced strong criticism, asserting that the new law “flouts” fundamental human rights.

A spokesperson for the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed profound concern over the escalating penalties for LGBT+ individuals in Senegal and the introduction of new offenses, such as advocating for or funding the promotion of homosexuality. France reiterates its steadfast commitment to the universal and indivisible respect for human rights, advocating for the global decriminalization of homosexuality, defending the rights of LGBT+ individuals, and actively combating discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.