In the wake of Senegal’s recent legislative shift, French advocacy groups and elected officials are stepping up efforts to assist LGBT+ individuals facing persecution in the country. Since March 11, when Senegal enforced a law imposing 5 to 10 years imprisonment for same-sex relationships, the situation has escalated dramatically for the queer community. The STOP homophobie association is now providing critical support to 68 individuals currently detained in Senegal, based on confirmed reports from the organization.

Beyond legal assistance, the association has extended its support to include shelter for a handful of refugees in the Paris region while facilitating the relocation of approximately 50 individuals to France. To manage the overwhelming demand for help, STOP homophobie established a dedicated hotline. Terrence Khatchadourian, the association’s secretary-general, shared insights into the crisis, stating, “Until just two weeks ago, we had received over 3,000 calls, and our team was struggling to handle the volume.”

France’s response falls short, activists argue

Despite these efforts, activists like Jean-Luc Romero-Michel insist that more must be done. “Every message we receive highlights the difficulty these individuals face in obtaining humanitarian visas. Right now, France isn’t doing enough,” he emphasized. The former deputy mayor of Paris criticized the lack of tangible action, adding that while expressions of concern are welcome, concrete refuge provisions are what truly matter.

Ian Brossat, a Paris city councilor, is taking steps to address the issue by proposing a motion to the Paris Council. His initiative aims to allocate housing specifically for Senegalese individuals fleeing persecution. “Expressing outrage over the situation in Senegal is important, but enabling those affected to find safety in France is far more impactful,” he asserted.