SENEGAL: Attempt to toughen anti-LGBT law rejected

By: Ollus Ndomu

The Senegalese parliament has rejected a bill that was introduced to toughen existing laws against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.

With gay sex already punishable by at least five years in jail, the proposed amendments would lengthened the term to10 years.

The bill also sought to increase fines for all LGBT and similar activities that are considered as crimes under the current law.

In a statement, the Office of the National Assembly, which stopped the proposed bill from proceeding to the floor, explained that current law is clear and severely punishes all LGBT activities.

11 MPs who claimed to have support of key religious groups within a predominantly Muslim West African country, had initiated the bill.

Senegal’s majority (95%) population is Muslim.