Senegal Condemned After Mass Arrests of Gay Men

The mass arrest of up to 20 suspected gay men in Senegal draws outrage from gay rights and HIV/AIDS activists who question if the West African nation should host an AIDS conference later this year.

Reportedly, "between seven and 20 men" were arrested in the capital city of Dakar "after a local magazine published photographs of a marriage ceremony between two men. Police have not revealed where the men are being held, only that they are charged with suspicion of homosexuality."

The BBC sheds some light on those photographs. "The pictures were published in Icone magazine, whose editor, Mansour Dieng, has since received death threats. Mr Dieng has also been questioned by police over the issue."

Although only rarely enforced, homosexual acts are prohibited under Senegalese law, with punishment ranging from one to five years in prison, and fines from $200 to $3,000. Many Senegalese gay men and lesbians have been able to create a thriving underground gay community, and, the country is considered one of the most progressive in Africa on the issue of homosexuality, says Joel Nana with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission. "The government has included a commitment to fighting HIV among men who have sex with men in its national AIDS response plan since 2005. That's why we found these arrests to be very distressing."

Dakar will host the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa in December 2008.

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Comments

[Pastor Michael Vincent Crea]

Having begun teaching about HIV/AIDS as a Peace Corps volunteer in 1985 in Senegal and returning in 1990 and 1995, this news is deplorable and without any
reason or respect by Senegalese
authorities toward these men.

I have tried to purchase a building in Harlem to be called
"Keur Teranga," that is "House of Hospitality and Respect" for people living with the virus, especially Africans. Teranga means "hospitality and respect," and is the national motto of Senegal.

The police action is only a further indication of the global fascism being perpetrated with impunity, as America, the model of
moral bankruptcy and sinister self-righteousness, is being followed by all looking at force
and violence as the means to achieve whatever ends one desires or dictates and being disguised as democracy.

In Senegal same gender loving actions are out in the open in many cultural, everyday actions, including holding hands with one's good friend walking in public. One wonders if the new westernization of Africa, including two new U.S. American
military bases in Senegal, are giving way to increased homophobia
and intolerance from the flowing of new imperial dollars that are thicker than free blood brothers and brothers' blood flowing freely, being given no respect or hospitality in their own homes.

These regrettable arrests are totally unacceptable and the authorities must release the men immediately.

[Andy Niable]

Sad, disturbing news, but thank you, Rod, for keeping our eyes and minds (and hearts) aware of the world beyond Mardi Gras and Super Tuesday.

[Doug Cooper-Spencer]

Where does the U.N. stand on those countries who display such rampant homophobia? Has it (the U.N.) made public a stand against those nations?