Banning homosexuality is nothing homophobic, says Senegalese President to Trudeau
"Only the laws of our country follow standards that are the digest of our values of culture and civilization," said President Macky Sall.
President Macky Sall said on Wednesday that the ban on homosexuality in Senegal was culturally specific to his country and had "nothing to do" with homophobia, in the presence of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau , who " briefly ”raised the subject with him.
"I am always in the defense of human rights and I always bring these issues wherever I go," said Mr. Trudeau, known for his commitment to the matter, at a joint press point in Dakar. "President Macky Sall is very familiar with my perspectives on this and we spoke about it briefly," he added.
He counterpointed the fact that Senegal is, according to him, “a leader in matters of democracy, in terms of values. We all have more work to do. ”
Mr. Sall confirmed that the sensitive issue in this West African country had been addressed in their interviews.
"Only, the laws of our country obey standards which are the digest of our values of culture and civilization," he said. “It has nothing to do with homophobia. Those who have a sexual orientation of their choice are not excluded, ”he insisted.
Apostrophied by a journalist who asked him why laws prohibiting homosexuality were not homophobia,
Mr. Sall was careful not to explain.But he did not rule out an evolution.
"Neither can we ask Senegal to say:" Tomorrow, we legalize homosexuality, and tomorrow it will be the 'gay parade', etc. "", he added, with reference
to “Gay Pride” or “Pride Marches” organized in other regions of the world.
"That is not possible because our society does not accept it. The society, it will evolve, it will take the time it will take, "said the Senegalese president.
"Each country has its own metabolism," he insisted on the pace of this development.
"I am always in the defense of human rights and I always bring these issues wherever I go," said Mr. Trudeau, known for his commitment to the matter, at a joint press point in Dakar. "President Macky Sall is very familiar with my perspectives on this and we spoke about it briefly," he added.
He counterpointed the fact that Senegal is, according to him, “a leader in matters of democracy, in terms of values. We all have more work to do. ”
Mr. Sall confirmed that the sensitive issue in this West African country had been addressed in their interviews.
"Only, the laws of our country obey standards which are the digest of our values of culture and civilization," he said. “It has nothing to do with homophobia. Those who have a sexual orientation of their choice are not excluded, ”he insisted.
Apostrophied by a journalist who asked him why laws prohibiting homosexuality were not homophobia,
Mr. Sall was careful not to explain.But he did not rule out an evolution.
"Neither can we ask Senegal to say:" Tomorrow, we legalize homosexuality, and tomorrow it will be the 'gay parade', etc. "", he added, with reference
to “Gay Pride” or “Pride Marches” organized in other regions of the world.
"That is not possible because our society does not accept it. The society, it will evolve, it will take the time it will take, "said the Senegalese president.
"Each country has its own metabolism," he insisted on the pace of this development.
Personal memory
Senegalese law punishes homosexual acts with sentences of one to five years' imprisonment.
The Criminal Code speaks of "immodesty or unnatural act with an individual of his sex".
Mr. Sall, whose country is often cited as an example of the rule of law in Africa, has always invoked the specificities of Senegal
to refuse the decriminalization of homosexuality.
More than half of the countries in sub-Saharan Africa - 28 out of 49 - have laws prohibiting or punishing homosexuality,
sometimes punishable by the death penalty.
Senegal is an ultra-predominantly Muslim country practicing Islam renowned for its religious tolerance. Large brotherhoods play a
preponderant role in the life of the Senegalese. Homosexuality is largely taboo.
Before Mr. Trudeau's visit, the Senegalese press had reported the warnings of a conservative group against the risk that the
Prime Minister would come to promote a homosexual agenda.
In Canada, on the contrary, concern has been expressed that Mr. Trudeau is sacrificing the defense of rights to the campaign currently being waged by his country for a seat of non-permanent member in the UN Security Council. The voices of African countries are precious in this quest. Before arriving
in Senegal on Monday, Mr. Trudeau was in Ethiopia, where the African Union was gathered at the summit.
The Senegalese president supported him.
“We need Canada's voice on the Security Council. I think it's a voice that will resonate and that will be reasonable.
From this point of view, Canada has our full support, ”he said.
Trudeau's stay in Senegal emphasizes the inclusion of women and girls, including in peacekeeping missions,
the situation in the Sahel, trade, development assistance and the crisis climate.
Monday morning, he visited the House of slaves on the island of Gorée, off Dakar, where the memory of the slave trade is kept.
"I will remember this visit all my life," he said, "overwhelmed and moved."
Senegalese law punishes homosexual acts with sentences of one to five years' imprisonment.
The Criminal Code speaks of "immodesty or unnatural act with an individual of his sex".
Mr. Sall, whose country is often cited as an example of the rule of law in Africa, has always invoked the specificities of Senegal
to refuse the decriminalization of homosexuality.
More than half of the countries in sub-Saharan Africa - 28 out of 49 - have laws prohibiting or punishing homosexuality,
sometimes punishable by the death penalty.
Senegal is an ultra-predominantly Muslim country practicing Islam renowned for its religious tolerance. Large brotherhoods play a
preponderant role in the life of the Senegalese. Homosexuality is largely taboo.
Before Mr. Trudeau's visit, the Senegalese press had reported the warnings of a conservative group against the risk that the
Prime Minister would come to promote a homosexual agenda.
In Canada, on the contrary, concern has been expressed that Mr. Trudeau is sacrificing the defense of rights to the campaign currently being waged by his country for a seat of non-permanent member in the UN Security Council. The voices of African countries are precious in this quest. Before arriving
in Senegal on Monday, Mr. Trudeau was in Ethiopia, where the African Union was gathered at the summit.
The Senegalese president supported him.
“We need Canada's voice on the Security Council. I think it's a voice that will resonate and that will be reasonable.
From this point of view, Canada has our full support, ”he said.
Trudeau's stay in Senegal emphasizes the inclusion of women and girls, including in peacekeeping missions,
the situation in the Sahel, trade, development assistance and the crisis climate.
Monday morning, he visited the House of slaves on the island of Gorée, off Dakar, where the memory of the slave trade is kept.
"I will remember this visit all my life," he said, "overwhelmed and moved."