Senegal has issued its first conviction under a controversial new law that dramatically sharpens penalties for LGBTQ+ individuals. A 24-year-old man was sentenced to six years in prison and fined over $3,000 in a Dakar suburb court, becoming the law’s first casualty since it took effect. The legislation raises prison terms to between five and ten years and goes further, criminalizing the perceived “promotion” or “financing” of LGBTQ+ support. Human Rights Watch warns the law has created a climate of fear, with arrests reportedly becoming more aggressive under state backing. The development places Senegal among a number of African countries tightening restrictions, highlighting a broader regional trend with serious implications for civil liberties.
AP
