Dakar, Senegal – The United Nations and the Netherlands have canceled a planned LGBTQ rights event in Dakar after the Senegalese government issued a strong objection, citing cultural and religious concerns.
The event, organized by the UN Human Rights Office in collaboration with the Dutch government, was set to take place at the Dutch embassy in the West African nation. It aimed to foster dialogue around the rights of LGBTQ individuals—an issue that remains highly sensitive in Senegal.
However, Senegal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a strongly worded statement condemning the planned event, warning it was incompatible with the country’s cultural, social, and religious values. The government said such activism “is not tolerated” and could provoke public disorder, particularly at a time when Senegal is grappling with other pressing national issues.
“The government of Senegal strongly advised against holding this event and reminded all diplomatic missions of their duty to respect Senegalese laws and societal norms,” the ministry stated.
Same-sex relationships are criminalized in Senegal, with offenders facing prison sentences of up to five years under existing laws.
In response to the government’s concerns, both the UN and the Netherlands announced the cancellation of the event. In a joint statement, they emphasized the importance of balancing respect for local contexts with the universal promotion of human rights.
“We remain committed to engaging in respectful and peaceful dialogue on human rights issues, including the rights of LGBTQ persons, while recognizing the need to consider local perspectives,” the statement read.
The incident has once again brought to the fore the tension between global human rights advocacy and national sovereignty, particularly in regions where conservative cultural and religious norms dominate public discourse.
Human rights groups have previously criticized Senegal for its stance on LGBTQ rights, while government officials have consistently maintained that the country is not prepared to accept what they view as foreign-imposed values.
Written by Were Kelly
