By Reuters
A number of Senegalese lawmakers have drafted legislation that might tighten already repressive laws against same-sex relations, lengthening potential jail phrases for these convicted of LGBTQ actions, one of many legislators mentioned on Monday.
In Senegal, gay intercourse is punishable by as much as 5 years in jail, in accordance with a 2020 international assessment by the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA).
According to a Reuters report, Lawmaker Alioune Souare said he had helped draft a replacement to anti-LGBTQ laws.
“We hope to current the proposal to the parliament earlier than the top of the week,” he said.
The invoice would lengthen jail phrases to between 5 and 10 years and criminalise LGBT+ actions particularly. The present legislation targets anybody who commits an “act against nature” with individuals of the identical gender.
It is unclear how a lot help the invoice would win in parliament.
Same-sex relations stay taboo in lots of socially conservative African societies, the place some spiritual teams have branded it a corrupting Western import. It is authorized in solely 22 of Africa’s 54 international locations and punishable by demise or prolonged jail phrases in others, in accordance with ILGA.
Neighboring Ghana can also be contemplating anti-LGBTQ legislation that might lengthen jail phrases and pressure some to bear “conversion remedy” meant to alter an individual’s sexual orientation.
