By Our Correspondent

National News – Senegal’s parliament has approved a controversial bill that significantly strengthens existing laws against same-sex relationships, sparking criticism from international human rights organisations and health advocates.

Lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to increase the maximum prison sentence for same-sex sexual acts from five years to ten years and to criminalise the promotion of homosexuality.

The legislation was backed by 135 members of parliament, with no votes against and three abstentions.

The bill will become law once it receives final approval from President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, whose government had previously promised tougher measures during the election campaign.

Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko had earlier presented the proposal to lawmakers, stating that the new law would punish what authorities describe as “acts against nature.”

The revised penalties include prison sentences ranging from five to ten years and fines of up to 10,000,000 CFA francs (about $17,600).

Government officials insist the move reflects the cultural and religious values of most Senegalese citizens.

Government spokesperson Amadou Moustapha Ndieck Sarré said the majority of people in the Muslim-majority nation reject homosexuality and support stronger laws against it.

The bill follows a wave of arrests in recent weeks involving men accused of engaging in same-sex relationships.

Police reportedly detained at least 12 individuals, including two public figures and a journalist.

However, international rights groups warn that the new legislation could deepen discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and increase the risk of violence.

Researchers from Human Rights Watch argue that criminalising sexual orientation violates fundamental rights to equality and non-discrimination.

Public health experts have also expressed concern that stricter laws could undermine efforts to control HIV/AIDS.

According to health authorities, Senegal currently maintains one of the lowest HIV prevalence rates in West Africa, with about 42,000 to 44,000 people living with the virus.

Dr Safiétou Thiam of the National Council for the Fight Against Aids warned that increased criminalisation may discourage vulnerable communities from seeking testing and treatment, potentially reversing decades of progress in disease prevention.

Senegal’s legislation comes amid a broader trend across Africa, where several countries have adopted tougher anti-LGBTQ laws in recent years, including Uganda, Burkina Faso and Ghana.