Bill To Enact Anti-gay Laws Fails In Senegal

In Senegal, a bill introduced in the country's parliament to toughen criminal penalties for homosexuals failed on Wednesday.

In a country where homosexuality is widely considered deviant. Senegal is a country widely populated by Muslims who make up 95 percent of the population, according to The Guardian.

Already, under an existing law in the country, homosexuality is punishable by up to five years in jail along with fines ranging from 152 to 2,286 euros.

In a statement by the Office of the National Assembly, which assesses the merits of incoming bills, the office stated that the current penal code already punishes homosexuality severely. Among those who opposed the bill is President Macky Sall, with claims of decriminalisation of homosexuality.

The rejected bill would have increased possible jail time to between five and 10 years and also triple the maximum penalty fine.

It was also claimed that the rejected bill would target lesbianism, bisexuality, transsexuality, intersexuality, bestiality, necrophilia and other practices.