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Senegal arrests 320 LGBTQ people, boosts HIV transmission charges

By Drooid · Oct 15, 2026, 2:58 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Senegal’s government arrested over 320 LGBTQ people and forced HIV testing.
Parliament amended the code on 11 March, raising same-sex relation penalties to ten years imprisonment.
The amendment also imposes fines of 500,000-5 million CFA francs for promoting homosexuality.
At least 84 detainees face “voluntary HIV transmission” charges solely because of their HIV status.
Human Rights Watch warned the crackdown could breach Senegal’s Olympic Charter obligations before the Youth Olympic Games Oct 31–Nov 13.

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Story summary

Senegal’s government arrested over 320 LGBTQ people and forced HIV testing.
Parliament amended the code on 11 March, raising same-sex relation penalties to ten years imprisonment.
The amendment also imposes fines of 500,000-5 million CFA francs for promoting homosexuality.
At least 84 detainees face “voluntary HIV transmission” charges solely because of their HIV status.
Human Rights Watch warned the crackdown could breach Senegal’s Olympic Charter obligations before the Youth Olympic Games Oct 31–Nov 13.