French Politician Condemns Senegal’s New Anti-Homosexuality Law

French politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon has condemned Senegal’s newly adopted law increasing penalties for homosexuality, calling the measure “absurd” in a public reaction today.

The leader of La France Insoumise, a French left-wing political movement, said criminalising homosexuality in civil law violates fundamental freedoms, adding that sexual orientation is not a choice.

His remarks come as human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, have also criticised the legislation adopted by Senegal’s National Assembly on Wednesday, which increases prison terms and introduces penalties for promoting or financing homosexuality.