On January 5, 2022, a bill aimed at toughening criminal penalties for homosexuals in Senegal was rejected by the country's parliament, failing to move to the main floor.
Senegal's existing law already punishes homosexuality with up to five years in jail, along with fines ranging from 152 to 2,286 euros ($170 to $2,580).
The proposed law, initiated by 11 MPs including at least one from the ruling party, sought to increase possible jail time to between five and 10 years and triple the maximum fine.
However, the Office of the National Assembly, which assesses the merits of incoming bills, stated that the current penal code already punishes homosexuality 'severely'.
Additionally, the authorities, including President Macky Sall, oppose the decriminalisation of homosexuality.
According to the proposed law, the new penalties would also target 'lesbianism, bisexuality, transsexuality, intersexuality, bestiality, necrophilia and similar practices'.
Mamadou Lamine Diallo, the lawmaker who spearheaded the bill, cited the influence of the umbrella group And Samm Jikko, which means 'together for the safeguard of values' in Senegal's main Wolof language.
