Title: Abominable acts of violence against the LGBTQ+ community in Senegal
Introduction :
In Senegal, an extremely serious act of violence shocked the country and sparked strong indignation from civil society organizations. It concerns the exhumation and burning of a supposedly homosexual remains, which took place in front of a rejoicing crowd. This display of barbarity provoked an immediate reaction from the prosecution, which opened an investigation to identify and prosecute the perpetrators of these inhumane acts. In this article, we will take a closer look at this shocking event and highlight the reactions and demands for justice coming from different actors in Senegalese society.
The context of the event:
Senegal, a country with more than 90% Muslim population, penalizes homosexual relations, describing them as “unnatural acts”. According to the Penal Code, these acts are punishable by sentences of one to five years in prison. However, this legislation in no way excuses the acts of violence and torture inflicted on individuals presumed to be homosexual.
Images of horror:
Videos of the exhumation and cremation of the remains of a supposedly homosexual man have been widely shared on social media. We see a crowd of several hundred people rejoicing around the funeral fire. These acts of extreme cruelty have caused shock and deep disgust among many people, both in Senegal and internationally.
Reactions from civil society:
The day after the event, the Kaolack public prosecutor reacted by requesting the opening of an investigation to identify the perpetrators of these barbaric acts and prosecute them. Many civil society organizations, including Amnesty International, have strongly condemned this act which violates the dignity of the deceased and his family. They also emphasize the responsibility of local authorities in issuing burial permits and the security of cemeteries.
Religious reactions:
The Caliph of Léona Niassene, religious authority in the district where these acts took place, also condemned any deviant interpretation of religion and called for justice to be done. This position underlines the importance of unity and tolerance within Senegalese society.
Demands for justice:
Several voices were raised to demand that the perpetrators of these despicable acts be identified, arrested and condemned if necessary. Babacar Ba, president of the Forum du justiciable, a human rights NGO, stressed that it was imperative that these acts do not go unpunished, in order to prevent such acts of violence from becoming jurisprudence and inciting other people to act like this.
Conclusion :
This extremely serious act of violence against a presumed homosexual individual in Senegal shocked the country and sparked a unanimous reaction of condemnation. Demands for justice come from different parts of Senegalese society, recalling the importance of protecting the dignity and rights of all citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation. It is essential that judicial authorities take appropriate measures to identify, arrest and punish the perpetrators of these abominable acts, in order to preserve the safety and dignity of all.