Senegal's parliament has approved tougher criminal sanctions for homosexual relations, adopting a bill that significantly increases prison terms and fines for what the law defines as "unnatural acts," DPA reported, BTA reported.
Late last night, lawmakers in the West African country approved the government-backed bill with 135 votes "in favor" and three "abstains" in the National Assembly.
Under the law, sexual relations between people of the same sex will now be punished by imprisonment of five to ten years. In comparison, the current penalties range from one to five years.
The bill also allows authorities to punish the "promotion" of same-sex relationships, including through organizations or social networks. Critics of the legislation argue that the measures could hinder civic organizations and HIV prevention programs targeting at-risk groups. The law still needs the president's signature to enter into force.
Homosexuality and bisexuality remain taboo in this predominantly Muslim West African country, DPA notes. Opinion polls have repeatedly shown that over 90% of respondents oppose same-sex relationships.
The issue has once again drawn public attention after several recent investigations. In early February, security forces detained about a dozen men, some of them celebrities, on suspicion of homosexual relations.
Shortly afterwards, police announced that they had dismantled an international child abuse ring in the capital Dakar. The two cases were often conflated in some of the public debate and on social media, DPA reported.