Human Rights Watch urges Senegal to stop anti-LGBT crackdown before Youth Olympics

Human Rights Watch issued a report urging Senegal to halt its severe crackdown on LGBT individuals, noting that a new law passed in March doubles the maximum sentence for same-sex relations to ten years in prison. The organization highlighted that dozens have been detained, including 71 men charged in August with “acts against nature.” HRW argues that the measures breach the Olympic Charter’s prohibition on discrimination and raise doubts about Senegal’s compliance with international law.

The crackdown also creates a climate of fear that pushes people away from HIV testing and discourages lawyers from offering representation. Senegal will host the fourth Youth Olympic Games, welcoming about 2,700 athletes between Oct. 31 and Nov. 13, marking the first Olympic event in Africa. HRW researcher Larissa Kojoue said the ongoing repression must end immediately.