Senegal Halts UN-Backed LGBTQI Event, Citing National Laws and Cultural Values
Dakar, Senegal – October 6, 2025
The Senegalese government has cancelled an LGBTQI-themed event organized with support from the United Nations and the Dutch Embassy, citing a breach of national laws and cultural norms.
The event, which was scheduled to include a film screening and panel discussion, was halted following a government warning to the organizers. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that while Senegal values its partnerships with international bodies, all diplomatic and cultural engagements within the country must adhere strictly to its laws and respect local sensibilities.
“Any activities that go against national legislation or moral values will face appropriate consequences,” the ministry stated, reinforcing Senegal’s long-standing legal stance against same-sex relations. Under Senegalese law, same-sex relationships are punishable by up to five years in prison, a policy rooted in the nation’s conservative cultural and religious framework.
The UN and the Dutch Embassy both confirmed the cancellation, expressing their continued commitment to dialogue on human rights while respecting the host country’s sovereignty.
The incident highlights the enduring tension between international advocacy for LGBTQI rights and domestic laws across parts of West Africa, where most nations maintain prohibitions on same-sex relationships.
In 2022, Senegal’s parliament rejected a proposal to further tighten these laws, but the current restrictions remain firmly in place.
Observers note that the cancellation underscores a broader challenge faced by human rights organizations operating in the region, balancing global equality initiatives with deeply entrenched local values and legal systems.
