Senegalese protest to demand tougher laws against homosexuality: Video
Dozens of protesters took to the streets of Dakar on Saturday, calling on the Senegalese government to introduce stricter penalties for homosexuality.
Chanting slogans such as “No to homosexuality,” demonstrators urged lawmakers to fulfill campaign promises made to religious leaders and citizens ahead of the last election.
Senegal currently criminalises same-sex relations under laws that punish “acts against nature with an individual of the same sex” with up to five years in prison. However, protesters argue the law is too lenient and have backed an initiative to introduce tougher legislation, which is now under discussion in parliament.
“We came here to fight homosexuality, as we did last year with President Macky Sall,” said Gorgui Guèye, one of the demonstrators. “We fought so that homosexuality is not tolerated in this country,” he told the AFP.
Another protester, Oumar Bâ, criticised the current government for failing to act. “They promised to criminalize homosexuality once in power, but a year later, there’s still no response,” he said. “If you see all these people, it’s to say no to homosexuality.”
Aminata Diaw added, “They visited every religious home, promising to act. Now is not the time to shy away.”
