Dakar, Senegal – Hundreds of LGBTQ+ individuals in Senegal have gone into hiding amid an escalating crackdown that has seen at least 320 people arrested since February. The detentions are reportedly based on information found on seized phones, allegations from third parties, and raids on private residences, according to a new report from Human Rights Watch (HRW).

The intensified crackdown follows the toughening of laws criminalizing homosexuality earlier this year. On March 11, Senegal's parliament amended the penal code, increasing the maximum prison sentence for consensual same-sex relations from five to 10 years. The new legislation also introduced penalties of up to seven years in prison and significant fines for promoting, supporting, or financing LGBTQ+ individuals and organizations.

Larissa Kojoué, an LGBTQ+ rights researcher at Human Rights Watch, stated that LGBTQ+ individuals are being compelled to limit their everyday activities due to the pervasive fear of arrest and escalating stigma. "Senegal’s government should call a halt to this crackdown, which threatens everyone’s rights," Kojoué urged.

The arrests have occurred nationwide, impacting both men and women. The police have cited information extracted from mobile phones as a primary basis for these detentions. Lawyers representing those detained have expressed concerns about the legal implications and potential repercussions for taking on such cases.

The criminalization of same-sex sexual activity in Senegal dates back to 1965. However, societal hostility towards LGBTQ+ individuals has notably increased in recent years. During the 2024 presidential campaign, the current president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, and former prime minister Ousmane Sonko both pledged to strengthen laws against same-sex relations, positioning the issue as a matter of national priority.

Among the detained individuals, at least 84 have been charged with "voluntary HIV transmission." Alarmingly, these charges were reportedly brought solely based on their HIV-positive status, without evidence of intent to transmit the virus. This practice has drawn significant criticism from HIV advocacy groups.

The HIV Justice Network, an organization cited in the HRW report, has highlighted the broader implications of these arrests, including forced HIV testing and significant obstacles to obtaining legal representation for those detained. The situation has created an environment of intense fear and insecurity for the LGBTQ+ community in Senegal.

Human rights organizations are calling on the Senegalese government to cease the current crackdown and to uphold the rights of all its citizens, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The long-term impact of these arrests and the toughened legislation on the LGBTQ+ community and broader human rights landscape in Senegal remains a significant concern.