A 17 year-old Senegalese man will stand trial on August 24 for sexual acts 'against nature' and two other men were convicted on identical charges two weeks earlier.

The three men were arrested and detained for alleged same-sex relations on June 19, 2009, together with a fourth man whose status is currently unknown. The first two men were sentenced to two and five years in prison respectively. Reports indicate that denunciations from neighbors were the only evidence against the men.

Senegal is a country in which same-sex relations are illegal, homophobia is widespread, and incitement toward violence against those perceived to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender is often encouraged by politicians and religious leaders.

Human rights abuses related to sexual orientation and gender identity in Senegal have accelerated since February 2008, when 10 people were arbitrarily arrested and charged with "homosexuality, incitement to debauchery and corruption of good behavior," after popular tabloid Icône published pictures of a ceremony to affirm a gay relationship.

In a separate incident in August 2008, two men were arrested at their home in Dakar for "homosexual marriage" and also charged with "acts against the order of nature."

In December 2008, nine members of AIDES Sénégal who were participating in an education workshop to combat HIV and AIDS were arrested and sentenced to 8 years in prison for "indecent conduct and unnatural acts" and "conspiracy." The Court of Appeals in Dakar overturned their conviction in April 2009.

Religious and political leaders in Senegal have stoked the flames of hatred. In recent months, representatives from both sectors have loudly condemned same-sex practicing people. Addressing the release of the December 2008 detainees the Imam of Pikine, told his congregants that: "the judge was too lenient, we should have killed them."

To sign a petition against these arrests go to:
www.iglhrc.org/cgi-bin/iowa/home/index.html