The Guardian World · Oct 15, 2026

LGBTQ+ people go into hiding in Senegal as hundreds are arrested

At least 320 people detained for ‘acts against nature’ after law criminalising homosexuality toughened, HRW reports Mass arrests, forced HIV testing and barriers to legal representation are part of an escalating crackdown against LGBTQ+ people in Senegal, according to a new report . Among these, at least 84 were charged with “voluntary HIV transmission”, solely on the basis of their HIV status.