French EU Lawmaker Condemns Anti-LGBTQ+ Crackdown in Senegal

Manon Aubry, a prominent French European Parliament member, has voiced strong opposition to the escalating persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals in Senegal. She is urging immediate diplomatic action from France to safeguard those targeted and protect human rights in the region.

In a public statement released on social media, the politician—who also serves as the head of the left-wing group in the European Parliament—highlighted the alarming rise in legal and social repression against homosexual individuals in the country.

French Politician Slams Harsh Anti-Homosexuality Laws in Senegal

Manon Aubry has strongly criticized a recent amendment to Senegal’s penal code that now criminalizes same-sex relations, imposing sentences of five to ten years in prison. In her remarks, she condemned what she described as a systemic campaign of persecution against LGBTQ+ individuals.

« Homosexuality is not a crime. The expansion of discriminatory laws in Senegal has created a climate of fear and violence for countless innocent people, » Aubry stated. She emphasized the urgent need for international intervention to protect vulnerable communities and hold authorities accountable for human rights violations.

Calls for France to Take Action

Beyond condemning the legal measures, Aubry also demanded immediate diplomatic action from France. She specifically called for the release of a French national currently detained under these charges and urged authorities to process asylum requests from Senegalese refugees fleeing persecution.

« Solidarity with those targeted is not enough—concrete steps must be taken to ensure their safety and uphold fundamental rights, » she asserted. Her remarks have sparked renewed debate on West Africa’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights and the role of international partners in addressing such crises.