71 men arrested in Senegal as crackdown on same-sex relations intensifies

Months after introducing tougher penalties for same-sex relations, Senegal has stepped up its crackdown on homosexuality, with dozens of men facing criminal charges.

The public prosecutor’s office said on Friday that 71 men had been arrested and charged with “unnatural acts.”

The suspects were brought before a court, while charges against 28 other defendants were dropped, according to the statement.

More than 100 people have been charged since the new law came into force. Those targeted have included local celebrities who were arrested on suspicion of engaging in same-sex relations, with some also accused of deliberately transmitting HIV.

However, the HIV/AIDS transmission charges have since been withdrawn.

Senegal is among several West African countries that have introduced or strengthened laws criminalising same-sex relations in recent months.

Human rights activists have criticised the crackdown, arguing that LGBT+ people are increasingly being used as political scapegoats on an issue they say politicians can exploit because of its broad public opposition.