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Senegal: Brutal Crackdown Violates LGBT People's Rights
NEW YORK, Oct. 12 [Category: International] -- Human Rights Watch posted the following news:
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Senegal: Brutal Crackdown Violates LGBT People's Rights
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* Senegal's intensifying crackdown on LGBT people is violating their rights and causing increasing fear and stigma.
* Fear of arrest and stigma are causing people to go into hiding, to avoid HIV testing and treatment, and deterring lawyers from representing them.
* The crackdown on LGBT people calls into question Senegal's compliance with its own laws and international law, as well as the Olympic charter, given it will host the Youth ... Show Full Article NEW YORK, Oct. 12 [Category: International] -- Human Rights Watch posted the following news: * * * Senegal: Brutal Crackdown Violates LGBT People's Rights * * Senegal's intensifying crackdown on LGBT people is violating their rights and causing increasing fear and stigma. * Fear of arrest and stigma are causing people to go into hiding, to avoid HIV testing and treatment, and deterring lawyers from representing them. * The crackdown on LGBT people calls into question Senegal's compliance with its own laws and international law, as well as the Olympic charter, given it will host the YouthOlympics Games at the end of the month.
(Dakar) Senegal's growing crackdown on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) people is violating their rights, causing increasing fear and stigma, and should be ended immediately, Human Rights Watch said today. Mass arrests forced HIV testing and barriers to legal representation appear to be part of an increase in punitive government action against LGBT people in West Africa.
On March 11, 2026, Senegal's parliament amended article 319 of the penal code, doubling to 10 years the maximum prison term for consensual same-sex conduct and criminalizing "promotion" of or support to LGBT people and organizations. The amendment followed the detention by security forces of at least five men in Thies region in December 2025 and 12 men in the capital, Dakar, in February 2026 on charges including "acts against nature" and "intentional transmission of HIV." Police and gendarmerie then escalated arrests of suspected LGBT people in various other cities including Thies, Rosso, Saint Louis, Yeumbeul, and Ziguinchor.
"LGBT people are being forced to curb their normal activities and to keep from exercising their rights for fear of arrest and increased stigma," said Larissa Kojoue, LGBT rights researcher at Human Rights Watch. "Senegal's government should call a halt to this crackdown, which threatens everyone's rights."
Human Rights Watch interviewed 39 people in May in Senegal: 5 people who had been detained in late 2025 and early 2026, 2 journalists, 9 civil society representatives and human rights defenders, 2 national officials, 2 lawyers, 4 health professionals, and 15 members of the Senegalese queer community. Human Rights Watch also reviewed official statements, and media and nongovernmental group reports.
On September 29, Human Rights Watch wrote to the Senegalese authorities, including the justice minister, the high commander of the National Gendarmerie and director of military justice, and the director general of the National Police detailing its findings and asking specific questions, but has received no response.
Same-sex sexual conduct has been criminalized in Senegal since 1965, but hostility toward LGBT people has significantly intensified in recent years. During the 2024 presidential campaign, President Diomaye Faye and former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko pledged to strengthen laws criminalizing same-sex relations, framing the issue as a national priority and mobilizing broad political and public support. The March amendments have triggered new attacks against LGBT people, interviewees said.
Mouhamadou Seck, secretary-general of the prominent Senegalese organization African Forum for the Defense of Human Rights (Rencontre Africaine pour la Defense des Droits de l'Homme, or RADDHO), said in May that "detentions, violence, and abuse against LGBT individuals have sharply increased across the country."
Human Rights Watch was not able to independently verify the total number of arrests linked to article 319. However, between February and July, at least 212 people have been arrested, according to data collected by RADDHO. HIV Justice Network reported that the number of arrests exceeded more than 300 during the same period. Of those arrested, 82 were also charged with "voluntary HIV transmission," although a court dismissed these charges in August. These figures illustrate the scale of arrests and indicate a pattern in enforcement of article 319.
Security force officials have stated that they have arrested people suspected of engaging in same-sex conduct based on information extracted from previously seized phones, third-party allegations, or raids on private premises.
The March amendment to the penal code introduces broadly defined offenses criminalizing activities such as "promotion" and "glorification" of homosexuality, as well as financing and supporting LGBT individuals and organizations. Human rights defenders and lawyers said that the introduction of these offenses has led to fear and anxiety among legal professionals and contributed to an environment in which detainees struggle to secure legal representation.
"In Senegal, lawyers are associated with the cause they represent," a lawyer in Dakar told Human Rights Watch, adding that his colleagues and family members had urged him not to represent individuals arrested on charges of "acts against nature." He said: "Everyone has the right to a fair trial. What matters to me is: were their rights respected or not?" Principle 18 of the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers provides that "Lawyers shall not be identified with their clients or their clients' causes as a result of discharging their functions."
People interviewed said that since February, the authorities have subjected detainees to HIV testing without informed consent and used detainees' HIV status to justify additional criminal charges or prolonged detention. Health professionals expressed concern that the forced HIV testing and subsequent charges undermine medical confidentiality by allowing confidential test results to be used in criminal proceedings. They also discourage people from seeking HIV testing and treatment and jeopardize HIV-related public health efforts.
"We have noticed that [...] some people have fled while others are hiding," a doctor in Dakar said. "One-third no longer come in for appointments to seek HIV treatment."
Security forces also appear to have violated the confidentiality of ongoing criminal investigations involving suspected LGBT people. News reporting on two cases involving public figures includes personal details that closely track details set forth in investigative records, suggesting authorities leaked confidential information to journalists. Local media also extensively reported personal and confidential data on the case of the 12 men arrested in February. This has exposed individuals to social stigma, family rejection, threats, and violence.
The Senegalese Constitution and international human rights law applicable in Senegal guarantee fundamental rights, including equal protection before the law and non-discrimination; the right to effective legal representation and the presumption of innocence; the rights to privacy and to informed consent to medical treatment; freedom from torture and other ill-treatment, and the right to a fair trial within a reasonable time.
Senegal's Law No. 2010-03 of April 9, 2010, on HIV/AIDS establishes a legal framework to ensure access to treatment and support and protect the rights of people living with or affected by HIV. The law guarantees the rights to informed consent in medical testing and to privacy and confidentiality of health information, as well as protection against discrimination based on HIV status and protection of detainees from mandatory HIV testing.
The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, ratified by Senegal in 1982, guarantees, among other rights, the right to a fair trial, to equal protection before the law, and to nondiscrimination. The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, which will meet in Dakar from October 12-21, explicitly called on member states, including Senegal, to protect sexual minorities in accordance with the African charter, and has urged governments to protect people from violence based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Senegal is a party, requires Senegal to ensure the protection of numerous rights including fair trial, equal protection, nondiscrimination, and the right to privacy. The UN Human Rights Committee, which oversees compliance with the ICCPR, has repeatedly held that the criminalization of consensual same-sex conduct between adults violates the covenant.
From October 31 to November 13, Senegal will host the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, the first Olympic event on the African continent. The Olympic Charter prohibits discrimination on any grounds and commits host countries to respect human rights and human dignity.
"The ongoing government crackdown on LGBT people raises serious concerns about Senegal's compliance with international law, the Olympic charter, and Senegal's own laws," Kojoue said. "The government should call a halt to this crackdown."
Expanded Criminalization of Same-Sex Conduct
On March 11, Senegal's Parliament adopted amendments to article 319 of the penal code by a vote of 135 to 0, with three abstentions. The new law doubles, to 10 years, the maximum prison term for same-sex conduct and increases fines from 2 million to 10 million CFA francs (roughly US$3,000 to US$17,000).
The law introduces penalties of up to seven years in prison and a fine of 500,000 to 5 million CFA ($850 to $8,500) for those accused of promoting homosexuality or supporting or financing LGBT persons and organizations.
It also instructs judges not to suspend sentences or reduce prison terms below the minimum penalty recommended.
Arbitrary Arrest, Detention
According to data from July by the HIV Justice Network, since early February, authorities "have arrested over 300 individuals on allegations of acts against nature" in cities across Senegal. Data collected by RADDHO shows 212 people were arrested between February and July. RADDHO told Human Rights Watch that their data indicates that gendarmes from the Keur Massar unit carried out the majority of the arrests. Keur Massar is about 25 kilometers east of downtown Dakar.
On June 25, Keur Massar district gendarmerie arrested the 101st suspect in connection with the arrest wave that began in February, according to media reports. Officers said the arrests followed their review of a mobile phone seized from one of the 12 men arrested in February.
In July 30, international media reported that Keur Massar gendarmes arrested eight women who have been placed in pretrial detention. The gendarmes used phone data from two who were allegedly in a relationship to identify and arrest the six others. Beside "acts against nature," investigators also cited allegations of pimping, corruption of minors, and drug-related offenses.
Police in the Thies region, about 70 km east of Dakar, arrested five men in December 2025 for smoking shisha, a tobacco product banned under local law, and held them for two days before presenting them to a judicial authority. The prosecutor ordered them held on charges of "acts against nature" but dropped the charges and released them a month later for lack of evidence. They said that they believe neighbors denounced them to the authorities because of their sexual orientation.
One of the five, a 23-year-old man, said:
We were arrested while preparing for a fashion show at my place. Around 9 p.m., three police officers arrived, took us to the station and confiscated our phones.... We were held for two days, then taken to the Thies prosecutor's office and charged with acts against nature, despite not being caught in the act.... I think our neighbors told the police we are gay because they were jealous of our successful fashion business.
He said that, "we were beaten, whipped, and slapped, and called homosexuals.... I was injured on my thigh, causing lasting pain."
A social worker operating in Rebeuss, Senegal's largest detention facility, located in Dakar, said he witnessed prison staff and detainees discriminate against those held on suspicion of homosexuality: "[LGBT detainees] are being excluded from communal activities, denied participation in collective prayer sessions, and required to access services, including the barber, separately from other prisoners. In some cases, they are even compelled to perform domestic labor."
Prolonged Pretrial Detention
Since February, only one person arrested for "acts against nature" has been convicted according to local media. On April 10, the Pikine-Guediawaye District Court, in a suburb of Dakar, sentenced a 24-year-old man, who had been arrested a week earlier, to six years in prison and imposed a fine of 2 million CFA franc (approximately $3,300) after convicting him of "acts against nature" and "public indecency." He was not represented by legal counsel as it is often the case for people accused of "acts against nature" who may be denied access to legal representation or face difficulty finding lawyers willing to represent them.
A lawyer in Dakar told Human Rights Watch that many of those arrested on homosexuality-related charges remain in pretrial detention because prosecutors have added supplementary charges, including criminal association, endangering the life of others, deliberate HIV transmission, and drug trafficking. The lawyer said that these additional charges often require longer investigations and are used to justify extending pretrial detention.
Senegalese law generally limits pretrial detention to six months for minor offenses, with no limit for certain serious crimes such as murder, offenses against state security, and embezzlement of public funds. International human rights law requires that pretrial detention should be an exception, not the rule, and be justified on an individual basis in every case. Anyone held in pretrial detention is entitled to a trial within a reasonable time or release. Lengthy pretrial detention remains a significant concern in Senegal, as several civil society organizations and government officials interviewed said.
On August 7, the Pikine-Guediawaye District Court officially closed the preliminary investigation into the case involving the 12 men arrested on February 9 and another 87 people arrested in connection with the same crackdown. The court dismissed cases for 28 and freed them, but 71 remain referred to trial on charges of criminal association and acts against nature. The district court also dismissed charges of "endangering other people's lives" and "voluntary HIV transmission." This decision raises questions regarding continued detention of the 12 accused as the investigative needs that are commonly invoked to justify prolonged pretrial detention may no longer apply.
Barriers to Legal Representation
Human Rights Watch found that that the newly introduced offense of "promotion of homosexuality" has had a chilling effect on access to legal representation. Lawyers and human rights defenders said they were concerned that representing people charged under article 319 could expose them to professional, social, or even legal repercussions. "How can we represent people arrested without being accused of promotion," one lawyer said. "That's why there is such strong reluctance."
The lawyer described serious obstacles to accessing legal representation, saying that detainees, including his own client, were pressured to waive their right to legal representation. He also said that authorities frequently questioned detainees and obtained statements in the absence of legal counsel.
On February 9, the lawyer filed two complaints before the Dakar Court of Appeals, one on his own behalf and one on behalf of his client against a gendarmerie commander who pressured his client to waive his right to legal representation. He said in September that no progress had been made in either case.
Another lawyer raised concern about gendarmes' respect for due process. He suspected that authorities had obtained his clients "confessions" without their fully understanding of the proceedings and the implications of their statements.
Forced HIV Testing; Disclosure of Medical Information
RADDHO and HIV Justice Network told Human Rights Watch that the authorities have forced most detainees to undergo HIV testing and, when the results were positive, charged them with "deliberate HIV transmission" and "endangering the lives of others" in addition to offenses under article 319 of the amended penal code. Under article 36 of Senegal's 2010 law on HIV/AIDS, anyone who is knowingly living with HIV and has unprotected sex may face 5 to 10 years in prison and a fine.
The Keur Massar gendarmerie has officially stated that they required arrested people to undergo HIV tests. The national police also have conducted such tests and used the HIV status in criminal proceedings, as they mentioned in their June 13 statement.
"We are aware about nonconsensual HIV testing by gendarmerie and disclosure of people's HIV status," a doctor told Human Rights Watch.
The consequences of these practices have extended beyond individual detainees. Health professionals said that the use of HIV-related services has sharply declined and attribute it to fear of arrest, forced disclosure, and social stigma. "If, because of the law, people decide to stop coming to health clinics, it becomes a public health problem," a doctor said.
The Public Health Ministry and the National Council for the Fight Against AIDS (Conseil National de Lutte Contre le Sida, or CNLS), a government body leading and coordinating the HIV response in Senegal, released joint statements on Facebook on February 11 and February 23 stressing national efforts to treat and prevent HIV/AIDS and support people living with HIV/AIDS, as well as the need to keep medical and judicial records separate, and the difficulty of establishing intentional transmission.
In a March 18 news statement, the Joint UN Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), which advocates for global action against the HIV/AIDS pandemic, expressed concerns over the impact of the amended law, and called on Senegal to protect the confidentiality of medical information and the patient-provider relationship as non-negotiable foundations of a functioning health system.
Breaches of Privacy and Confidentiality
Numerous local media reports on the recent cases include highly detailed personal information about individuals arrested by the security forces. In at least four cases, the information closely tracks information in case records, nearly verbatim, suggesting that confidential information was being directly shared with journalists.
"Our photos and items found [by Police] at my home, like lubricants and antiretroviral tablets, were published in newspapers and on social media," the 23-year-old man said.
In one prominent case, a rare instance in which the detainee had legal representation after his arrest, Keur Massar gendarmes detained a popular artist on charges of "acts against nature," and his name, HIV status, and other confidential information appeared soon afterward in the media.
As a Senegalese journalist put it: "Publishing 'scandalous' information, on such a taboo matter like homosexuality in Senegal, has increasingly become a means of driving audience engagement. This practice turns people's suffering into spectacle, with little regard for the serious consequences for those whose privacy and dignity are violated."
Mental Health Consequences of the Crackdown
The government crackdown has had serious social and psychological effects on LGBT people across the country. LGBT individuals interviewed said they experienced fear, anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts, and many have gone into hiding, restricted their movements, withdrawn from social and online life, relocated, or abandoned mobile phones to avoid detection by the security forces.
A 22-year-old university student said he was forced to move after facing verbal threats and harassment:
In the neighborhood where I was, people started insulting me. They would say things like 'next time it is your turn,' when I passed [by them]. Kids would even follow me singing 'goor-jigeen' [a Wolof word describing a man who appears and behaves like a woman] and adults would say nothing. I couldn't even defend myself. I knew if I said something, they would all come after me. To come back home I had to wait until it is dark so no one would notice me.
A 27-year-old community worker in Dakar, said constant fear has turned daily life "into a state resembling COVID confinement":
We have suspended all our activities, including online. Now nobody trusts anyone. There is a total lack of security. I know I have one foot in prison. I can be arrested anytime because I am a community leader. Even if I am not in prison right now, I live like I am in prison. Life has totally changed.
Another 21-year-old man among those arrested in December 2025 said that, following his release in January 2026, he has been living in hiding in central Senegal, unable to return home out of fear his relatives would assault him:
I received a call from my mother telling me not to come back home. Apparently, my [half] brothers and some of my cousins were waiting for me and [were] ready to teach me a lesson. I have been hiding since. I couldn't even go back home to pick up some stuff. I have withdrawn from several online groups and deactivated my social media. Many of my friends left for Gambia, Mauritania, or Morrocco. I am staying because I am my mother's only child.
A 35-year-old man in Ziguinchor said his partner left with no prior notice for a neighboring country causing him psychological distress:
My partner left the country at night on a motorbike when he heard that his close friends were arrested and the police raided his place. He threw away his phone. He lives in poor conditions on the other side of the border. He does not have his medication. I am scared for him.
A psychologist at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar said that her consultations on campus "have tripled" since March. "Many patients are young men experiencing severe anxiety, hypervigilance, withdrawal from social life, and obsessive behaviors driven by fear of being perceived and attacked as LGBT."
Recommendations
To Senegal's President
* Order the immediate release of everyone arbitrarily detained since February 2026 under article 319 of the penal code.
* Refer the amended law to the Constitutional Council for constitutional review of its compatibility with constitutional guarantees of the right to privacy, equality before the law, non-discrimination, and fair trial rights.
* Publicly commit, ahead of the Youth Olympic Games, to ensure that all participants, visitors, and residents alike, will be protected from discrimination and arbitrary arrests.
To the National Assembly
* Repeal article 319 in its entirety, including the provisions of the amended penal code that criminalize the "promotion" or "glorification" of homosexuality, as well as the financing or support of LGBT individuals and organizations.
* Initiate a legislative review to remove HIV status as a criminal aggravating factor.
To Senegal's Government
* Open an investigation of abuses documented against LGBT people and hold those responsible accountable.
* Instruct judicial authorities to uphold national and international laws to guarantee access to legal representation for all detainees and ensure lawyers can represent clients without intimidation, harassment, or risk of prosecution.
* Ensure that pretrial detention is an exceptional measure, not a standard procedure, and that anyone in such detention is guaranteed a trial within a reasonable time or release.
* Prohibit forced HIV testing, ensure informed consent for all medical testing, prevent the use of confidential health information in criminal proceedings, and protect medical confidentiality, including by prohibiting the disclosure of detainees' health information to the media.
* Open an independent investigation into the case concerning a gendarmerie commander who pressured a detainee to waive his right to legal representation before leaking the detainee's HIV status to journalists.
* Respect and protect the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, including for individuals and organizations advocating for the rights of LGBT people.
To the National Medical Council
* Reaffirm that forced HIV testing violates medical ethics.
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Original text here: https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/10/12/senegal-brutal-crackdown-violates-lgbt-peoples-rights
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Senegal: Brutal Crackdown Violates LGBT People's Rights
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* Senegal's intensifying crackdown on LGBT people is violating their rights and causing increasing fear and stigma.
* Fear of arrest and stigma are causing people to go into hiding, to avoid HIV testing and treatment, and deterring lawyers from representing them.
* The crackdown on LGBT people calls into question Senegal's compliance with its own laws and international law, as well as the Olympic charter, given it will host the Youth ... Show Full Article NEW YORK, Oct. 12 [Category: International] -- Human Rights Watch posted the following news: * * * Senegal: Brutal Crackdown Violates LGBT People's Rights * * Senegal's intensifying crackdown on LGBT people is violating their rights and causing increasing fear and stigma. * Fear of arrest and stigma are causing people to go into hiding, to avoid HIV testing and treatment, and deterring lawyers from representing them. * The crackdown on LGBT people calls into question Senegal's compliance with its own laws and international law, as well as the Olympic charter, given it will host the YouthOlympics Games at the end of the month.
(Dakar) Senegal's growing crackdown on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) people is violating their rights, causing increasing fear and stigma, and should be ended immediately, Human Rights Watch said today. Mass arrests forced HIV testing and barriers to legal representation appear to be part of an increase in punitive government action against LGBT people in West Africa.
On March 11, 2026, Senegal's parliament amended article 319 of the penal code, doubling to 10 years the maximum prison term for consensual same-sex conduct and criminalizing "promotion" of or support to LGBT people and organizations. The amendment followed the detention by security forces of at least five men in Thies region in December 2025 and 12 men in the capital, Dakar, in February 2026 on charges including "acts against nature" and "intentional transmission of HIV." Police and gendarmerie then escalated arrests of suspected LGBT people in various other cities including Thies, Rosso, Saint Louis, Yeumbeul, and Ziguinchor.
"LGBT people are being forced to curb their normal activities and to keep from exercising their rights for fear of arrest and increased stigma," said Larissa Kojoue, LGBT rights researcher at Human Rights Watch. "Senegal's government should call a halt to this crackdown, which threatens everyone's rights."
Human Rights Watch interviewed 39 people in May in Senegal: 5 people who had been detained in late 2025 and early 2026, 2 journalists, 9 civil society representatives and human rights defenders, 2 national officials, 2 lawyers, 4 health professionals, and 15 members of the Senegalese queer community. Human Rights Watch also reviewed official statements, and media and nongovernmental group reports.
On September 29, Human Rights Watch wrote to the Senegalese authorities, including the justice minister, the high commander of the National Gendarmerie and director of military justice, and the director general of the National Police detailing its findings and asking specific questions, but has received no response.
Same-sex sexual conduct has been criminalized in Senegal since 1965, but hostility toward LGBT people has significantly intensified in recent years. During the 2024 presidential campaign, President Diomaye Faye and former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko pledged to strengthen laws criminalizing same-sex relations, framing the issue as a national priority and mobilizing broad political and public support. The March amendments have triggered new attacks against LGBT people, interviewees said.
Mouhamadou Seck, secretary-general of the prominent Senegalese organization African Forum for the Defense of Human Rights (Rencontre Africaine pour la Defense des Droits de l'Homme, or RADDHO), said in May that "detentions, violence, and abuse against LGBT individuals have sharply increased across the country."
Human Rights Watch was not able to independently verify the total number of arrests linked to article 319. However, between February and July, at least 212 people have been arrested, according to data collected by RADDHO. HIV Justice Network reported that the number of arrests exceeded more than 300 during the same period. Of those arrested, 82 were also charged with "voluntary HIV transmission," although a court dismissed these charges in August. These figures illustrate the scale of arrests and indicate a pattern in enforcement of article 319.
Security force officials have stated that they have arrested people suspected of engaging in same-sex conduct based on information extracted from previously seized phones, third-party allegations, or raids on private premises.
The March amendment to the penal code introduces broadly defined offenses criminalizing activities such as "promotion" and "glorification" of homosexuality, as well as financing and supporting LGBT individuals and organizations. Human rights defenders and lawyers said that the introduction of these offenses has led to fear and anxiety among legal professionals and contributed to an environment in which detainees struggle to secure legal representation.
"In Senegal, lawyers are associated with the cause they represent," a lawyer in Dakar told Human Rights Watch, adding that his colleagues and family members had urged him not to represent individuals arrested on charges of "acts against nature." He said: "Everyone has the right to a fair trial. What matters to me is: were their rights respected or not?" Principle 18 of the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers provides that "Lawyers shall not be identified with their clients or their clients' causes as a result of discharging their functions."
People interviewed said that since February, the authorities have subjected detainees to HIV testing without informed consent and used detainees' HIV status to justify additional criminal charges or prolonged detention. Health professionals expressed concern that the forced HIV testing and subsequent charges undermine medical confidentiality by allowing confidential test results to be used in criminal proceedings. They also discourage people from seeking HIV testing and treatment and jeopardize HIV-related public health efforts.
"We have noticed that [...] some people have fled while others are hiding," a doctor in Dakar said. "One-third no longer come in for appointments to seek HIV treatment."
Security forces also appear to have violated the confidentiality of ongoing criminal investigations involving suspected LGBT people. News reporting on two cases involving public figures includes personal details that closely track details set forth in investigative records, suggesting authorities leaked confidential information to journalists. Local media also extensively reported personal and confidential data on the case of the 12 men arrested in February. This has exposed individuals to social stigma, family rejection, threats, and violence.
The Senegalese Constitution and international human rights law applicable in Senegal guarantee fundamental rights, including equal protection before the law and non-discrimination; the right to effective legal representation and the presumption of innocence; the rights to privacy and to informed consent to medical treatment; freedom from torture and other ill-treatment, and the right to a fair trial within a reasonable time.
Senegal's Law No. 2010-03 of April 9, 2010, on HIV/AIDS establishes a legal framework to ensure access to treatment and support and protect the rights of people living with or affected by HIV. The law guarantees the rights to informed consent in medical testing and to privacy and confidentiality of health information, as well as protection against discrimination based on HIV status and protection of detainees from mandatory HIV testing.
The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, ratified by Senegal in 1982, guarantees, among other rights, the right to a fair trial, to equal protection before the law, and to nondiscrimination. The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, which will meet in Dakar from October 12-21, explicitly called on member states, including Senegal, to protect sexual minorities in accordance with the African charter, and has urged governments to protect people from violence based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Senegal is a party, requires Senegal to ensure the protection of numerous rights including fair trial, equal protection, nondiscrimination, and the right to privacy. The UN Human Rights Committee, which oversees compliance with the ICCPR, has repeatedly held that the criminalization of consensual same-sex conduct between adults violates the covenant.
From October 31 to November 13, Senegal will host the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, the first Olympic event on the African continent. The Olympic Charter prohibits discrimination on any grounds and commits host countries to respect human rights and human dignity.
"The ongoing government crackdown on LGBT people raises serious concerns about Senegal's compliance with international law, the Olympic charter, and Senegal's own laws," Kojoue said. "The government should call a halt to this crackdown."
Expanded Criminalization of Same-Sex Conduct
On March 11, Senegal's Parliament adopted amendments to article 319 of the penal code by a vote of 135 to 0, with three abstentions. The new law doubles, to 10 years, the maximum prison term for same-sex conduct and increases fines from 2 million to 10 million CFA francs (roughly US$3,000 to US$17,000).
The law introduces penalties of up to seven years in prison and a fine of 500,000 to 5 million CFA ($850 to $8,500) for those accused of promoting homosexuality or supporting or financing LGBT persons and organizations.
It also instructs judges not to suspend sentences or reduce prison terms below the minimum penalty recommended.
Arbitrary Arrest, Detention
According to data from July by the HIV Justice Network, since early February, authorities "have arrested over 300 individuals on allegations of acts against nature" in cities across Senegal. Data collected by RADDHO shows 212 people were arrested between February and July. RADDHO told Human Rights Watch that their data indicates that gendarmes from the Keur Massar unit carried out the majority of the arrests. Keur Massar is about 25 kilometers east of downtown Dakar.
On June 25, Keur Massar district gendarmerie arrested the 101st suspect in connection with the arrest wave that began in February, according to media reports. Officers said the arrests followed their review of a mobile phone seized from one of the 12 men arrested in February.
In July 30, international media reported that Keur Massar gendarmes arrested eight women who have been placed in pretrial detention. The gendarmes used phone data from two who were allegedly in a relationship to identify and arrest the six others. Beside "acts against nature," investigators also cited allegations of pimping, corruption of minors, and drug-related offenses.
Police in the Thies region, about 70 km east of Dakar, arrested five men in December 2025 for smoking shisha, a tobacco product banned under local law, and held them for two days before presenting them to a judicial authority. The prosecutor ordered them held on charges of "acts against nature" but dropped the charges and released them a month later for lack of evidence. They said that they believe neighbors denounced them to the authorities because of their sexual orientation.
One of the five, a 23-year-old man, said:
We were arrested while preparing for a fashion show at my place. Around 9 p.m., three police officers arrived, took us to the station and confiscated our phones.... We were held for two days, then taken to the Thies prosecutor's office and charged with acts against nature, despite not being caught in the act.... I think our neighbors told the police we are gay because they were jealous of our successful fashion business.
He said that, "we were beaten, whipped, and slapped, and called homosexuals.... I was injured on my thigh, causing lasting pain."
A social worker operating in Rebeuss, Senegal's largest detention facility, located in Dakar, said he witnessed prison staff and detainees discriminate against those held on suspicion of homosexuality: "[LGBT detainees] are being excluded from communal activities, denied participation in collective prayer sessions, and required to access services, including the barber, separately from other prisoners. In some cases, they are even compelled to perform domestic labor."
Prolonged Pretrial Detention
Since February, only one person arrested for "acts against nature" has been convicted according to local media. On April 10, the Pikine-Guediawaye District Court, in a suburb of Dakar, sentenced a 24-year-old man, who had been arrested a week earlier, to six years in prison and imposed a fine of 2 million CFA franc (approximately $3,300) after convicting him of "acts against nature" and "public indecency." He was not represented by legal counsel as it is often the case for people accused of "acts against nature" who may be denied access to legal representation or face difficulty finding lawyers willing to represent them.
A lawyer in Dakar told Human Rights Watch that many of those arrested on homosexuality-related charges remain in pretrial detention because prosecutors have added supplementary charges, including criminal association, endangering the life of others, deliberate HIV transmission, and drug trafficking. The lawyer said that these additional charges often require longer investigations and are used to justify extending pretrial detention.
Senegalese law generally limits pretrial detention to six months for minor offenses, with no limit for certain serious crimes such as murder, offenses against state security, and embezzlement of public funds. International human rights law requires that pretrial detention should be an exception, not the rule, and be justified on an individual basis in every case. Anyone held in pretrial detention is entitled to a trial within a reasonable time or release. Lengthy pretrial detention remains a significant concern in Senegal, as several civil society organizations and government officials interviewed said.
On August 7, the Pikine-Guediawaye District Court officially closed the preliminary investigation into the case involving the 12 men arrested on February 9 and another 87 people arrested in connection with the same crackdown. The court dismissed cases for 28 and freed them, but 71 remain referred to trial on charges of criminal association and acts against nature. The district court also dismissed charges of "endangering other people's lives" and "voluntary HIV transmission." This decision raises questions regarding continued detention of the 12 accused as the investigative needs that are commonly invoked to justify prolonged pretrial detention may no longer apply.
Barriers to Legal Representation
Human Rights Watch found that that the newly introduced offense of "promotion of homosexuality" has had a chilling effect on access to legal representation. Lawyers and human rights defenders said they were concerned that representing people charged under article 319 could expose them to professional, social, or even legal repercussions. "How can we represent people arrested without being accused of promotion," one lawyer said. "That's why there is such strong reluctance."
The lawyer described serious obstacles to accessing legal representation, saying that detainees, including his own client, were pressured to waive their right to legal representation. He also said that authorities frequently questioned detainees and obtained statements in the absence of legal counsel.
On February 9, the lawyer filed two complaints before the Dakar Court of Appeals, one on his own behalf and one on behalf of his client against a gendarmerie commander who pressured his client to waive his right to legal representation. He said in September that no progress had been made in either case.
Another lawyer raised concern about gendarmes' respect for due process. He suspected that authorities had obtained his clients "confessions" without their fully understanding of the proceedings and the implications of their statements.
Forced HIV Testing; Disclosure of Medical Information
RADDHO and HIV Justice Network told Human Rights Watch that the authorities have forced most detainees to undergo HIV testing and, when the results were positive, charged them with "deliberate HIV transmission" and "endangering the lives of others" in addition to offenses under article 319 of the amended penal code. Under article 36 of Senegal's 2010 law on HIV/AIDS, anyone who is knowingly living with HIV and has unprotected sex may face 5 to 10 years in prison and a fine.
The Keur Massar gendarmerie has officially stated that they required arrested people to undergo HIV tests. The national police also have conducted such tests and used the HIV status in criminal proceedings, as they mentioned in their June 13 statement.
"We are aware about nonconsensual HIV testing by gendarmerie and disclosure of people's HIV status," a doctor told Human Rights Watch.
The consequences of these practices have extended beyond individual detainees. Health professionals said that the use of HIV-related services has sharply declined and attribute it to fear of arrest, forced disclosure, and social stigma. "If, because of the law, people decide to stop coming to health clinics, it becomes a public health problem," a doctor said.
The Public Health Ministry and the National Council for the Fight Against AIDS (Conseil National de Lutte Contre le Sida, or CNLS), a government body leading and coordinating the HIV response in Senegal, released joint statements on Facebook on February 11 and February 23 stressing national efforts to treat and prevent HIV/AIDS and support people living with HIV/AIDS, as well as the need to keep medical and judicial records separate, and the difficulty of establishing intentional transmission.
In a March 18 news statement, the Joint UN Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), which advocates for global action against the HIV/AIDS pandemic, expressed concerns over the impact of the amended law, and called on Senegal to protect the confidentiality of medical information and the patient-provider relationship as non-negotiable foundations of a functioning health system.
Breaches of Privacy and Confidentiality
Numerous local media reports on the recent cases include highly detailed personal information about individuals arrested by the security forces. In at least four cases, the information closely tracks information in case records, nearly verbatim, suggesting that confidential information was being directly shared with journalists.
"Our photos and items found [by Police] at my home, like lubricants and antiretroviral tablets, were published in newspapers and on social media," the 23-year-old man said.
In one prominent case, a rare instance in which the detainee had legal representation after his arrest, Keur Massar gendarmes detained a popular artist on charges of "acts against nature," and his name, HIV status, and other confidential information appeared soon afterward in the media.
As a Senegalese journalist put it: "Publishing 'scandalous' information, on such a taboo matter like homosexuality in Senegal, has increasingly become a means of driving audience engagement. This practice turns people's suffering into spectacle, with little regard for the serious consequences for those whose privacy and dignity are violated."
Mental Health Consequences of the Crackdown
The government crackdown has had serious social and psychological effects on LGBT people across the country. LGBT individuals interviewed said they experienced fear, anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts, and many have gone into hiding, restricted their movements, withdrawn from social and online life, relocated, or abandoned mobile phones to avoid detection by the security forces.
A 22-year-old university student said he was forced to move after facing verbal threats and harassment:
In the neighborhood where I was, people started insulting me. They would say things like 'next time it is your turn,' when I passed [by them]. Kids would even follow me singing 'goor-jigeen' [a Wolof word describing a man who appears and behaves like a woman] and adults would say nothing. I couldn't even defend myself. I knew if I said something, they would all come after me. To come back home I had to wait until it is dark so no one would notice me.
A 27-year-old community worker in Dakar, said constant fear has turned daily life "into a state resembling COVID confinement":
We have suspended all our activities, including online. Now nobody trusts anyone. There is a total lack of security. I know I have one foot in prison. I can be arrested anytime because I am a community leader. Even if I am not in prison right now, I live like I am in prison. Life has totally changed.
Another 21-year-old man among those arrested in December 2025 said that, following his release in January 2026, he has been living in hiding in central Senegal, unable to return home out of fear his relatives would assault him:
I received a call from my mother telling me not to come back home. Apparently, my [half] brothers and some of my cousins were waiting for me and [were] ready to teach me a lesson. I have been hiding since. I couldn't even go back home to pick up some stuff. I have withdrawn from several online groups and deactivated my social media. Many of my friends left for Gambia, Mauritania, or Morrocco. I am staying because I am my mother's only child.
A 35-year-old man in Ziguinchor said his partner left with no prior notice for a neighboring country causing him psychological distress:
My partner left the country at night on a motorbike when he heard that his close friends were arrested and the police raided his place. He threw away his phone. He lives in poor conditions on the other side of the border. He does not have his medication. I am scared for him.
A psychologist at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar said that her consultations on campus "have tripled" since March. "Many patients are young men experiencing severe anxiety, hypervigilance, withdrawal from social life, and obsessive behaviors driven by fear of being perceived and attacked as LGBT."
Recommendations
To Senegal's President
* Order the immediate release of everyone arbitrarily detained since February 2026 under article 319 of the penal code.
* Refer the amended law to the Constitutional Council for constitutional review of its compatibility with constitutional guarantees of the right to privacy, equality before the law, non-discrimination, and fair trial rights.
* Publicly commit, ahead of the Youth Olympic Games, to ensure that all participants, visitors, and residents alike, will be protected from discrimination and arbitrary arrests.
To the National Assembly
* Repeal article 319 in its entirety, including the provisions of the amended penal code that criminalize the "promotion" or "glorification" of homosexuality, as well as the financing or support of LGBT individuals and organizations.
* Initiate a legislative review to remove HIV status as a criminal aggravating factor.
To Senegal's Government
* Open an investigation of abuses documented against LGBT people and hold those responsible accountable.
* Instruct judicial authorities to uphold national and international laws to guarantee access to legal representation for all detainees and ensure lawyers can represent clients without intimidation, harassment, or risk of prosecution.
* Ensure that pretrial detention is an exceptional measure, not a standard procedure, and that anyone in such detention is guaranteed a trial within a reasonable time or release.
* Prohibit forced HIV testing, ensure informed consent for all medical testing, prevent the use of confidential health information in criminal proceedings, and protect medical confidentiality, including by prohibiting the disclosure of detainees' health information to the media.
* Open an independent investigation into the case concerning a gendarmerie commander who pressured a detainee to waive his right to legal representation before leaking the detainee's HIV status to journalists.
* Respect and protect the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, including for individuals and organizations advocating for the rights of LGBT people.
To the National Medical Council
* Reaffirm that forced HIV testing violates medical ethics.
***
Original text here: https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/10/12/senegal-brutal-crackdown-violates-lgbt-peoples-rights
Salvation Army calls for greater protection for women and children in Haiti
LONDON, England, Oct. 12 [Category: Sociological] -- The Salvation Army International posted the following news:
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Salvation Army calls for greater protection for women and children in Haiti
*
The Salvation Army has called for greater humanitarian access and stronger protection for displaced women and children in Haiti during an intervention at the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Speaking during an interactive dialogue on the human rights situation in Haiti, The Salvation Army's United Nations Representative in Geneva, Markus Hofer, urged the international community to strengthen ... Show Full Article LONDON, England, Oct. 12 [Category: Sociological] -- The Salvation Army International posted the following news: * * * Salvation Army calls for greater protection for women and children in Haiti * The Salvation Army has called for greater humanitarian access and stronger protection for displaced women and children in Haiti during an intervention at the United Nations Human Rights Council. Speaking during an interactive dialogue on the human rights situation in Haiti, The Salvation Army's United Nations Representative in Geneva, Markus Hofer, urged the international community to strengthenhumanitarian access, support coordinated survivor-centred services and ensure accountability for serious human rights violations.
The dialogue, led by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, also included William G. O'Neill, the UN Designated Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti.
A crisis affecting women and children
Drawing on The Salvation Army's more than 75 years of service in Haiti, Mr Hofer highlighted the devastating impact of armed violence on communities, particularly women and children.
More than 1.5 million people are displaced, many living in overcrowded sites with limited access to basic services. The statement also drew attention to widespread sexual and gender-based violence and the urgent need for justice and protection for survivors.
'Children are also bearing the consequences,' said Mr Hofer. 'Schools have closed, access to healthcare and essential services has deteriorated, and children associated with armed groups remain at risk of further harm and stigma.'
He asked the panel what concrete action the international community should take to ensure adequate support reaches those most at risk.
In response, Mr O'Neill highlighted the need for greater expertise and resources for locally-led judicial bodies, as well as significantly more safe centres for children recruited by armed groups.
He said Haiti currently has just one centre, with capacity for around 300 children, providing psychological and social support. At least four or five additional centres are needed to respond adequately to the scale of need.
Advocacy rooted in frontline experience
The Human Rights Council statement builds on a report submitted in July by The Salvation Army's International Social Justice Commission (ISJC), working in collaboration with the movement's Caribbean Territory, as part of Haiti's Universal Periodic Review.
The Universal Periodic Review examines the human rights record of every UN Member State and provides recommendations aimed at strengthening the protection and fulfilment of human rights.
Through its engagement with the United Nations and its presence alongside communities around the world, the ISJC continues to bring frontline experience into international discussions and advocate for the voices and rights of people who are most vulnerable.
As we celebrated the International Day of the Girl yesterday on 11 October 2026, the intervention underlines the ISJC's continuing advocacy for girls and other children whose rights and safety are threatened by conflict, displacement and violence.
***
Original text here: https://www.salvationarmy.org/news/salvation-army-calls-greater-protection-women-and-children-haiti (TNSmrp)
* * *
Salvation Army calls for greater protection for women and children in Haiti
*
The Salvation Army has called for greater humanitarian access and stronger protection for displaced women and children in Haiti during an intervention at the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Speaking during an interactive dialogue on the human rights situation in Haiti, The Salvation Army's United Nations Representative in Geneva, Markus Hofer, urged the international community to strengthen ... Show Full Article LONDON, England, Oct. 12 [Category: Sociological] -- The Salvation Army International posted the following news: * * * Salvation Army calls for greater protection for women and children in Haiti * The Salvation Army has called for greater humanitarian access and stronger protection for displaced women and children in Haiti during an intervention at the United Nations Human Rights Council. Speaking during an interactive dialogue on the human rights situation in Haiti, The Salvation Army's United Nations Representative in Geneva, Markus Hofer, urged the international community to strengthenhumanitarian access, support coordinated survivor-centred services and ensure accountability for serious human rights violations.
The dialogue, led by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, also included William G. O'Neill, the UN Designated Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti.
A crisis affecting women and children
Drawing on The Salvation Army's more than 75 years of service in Haiti, Mr Hofer highlighted the devastating impact of armed violence on communities, particularly women and children.
More than 1.5 million people are displaced, many living in overcrowded sites with limited access to basic services. The statement also drew attention to widespread sexual and gender-based violence and the urgent need for justice and protection for survivors.
'Children are also bearing the consequences,' said Mr Hofer. 'Schools have closed, access to healthcare and essential services has deteriorated, and children associated with armed groups remain at risk of further harm and stigma.'
He asked the panel what concrete action the international community should take to ensure adequate support reaches those most at risk.
In response, Mr O'Neill highlighted the need for greater expertise and resources for locally-led judicial bodies, as well as significantly more safe centres for children recruited by armed groups.
He said Haiti currently has just one centre, with capacity for around 300 children, providing psychological and social support. At least four or five additional centres are needed to respond adequately to the scale of need.
Advocacy rooted in frontline experience
The Human Rights Council statement builds on a report submitted in July by The Salvation Army's International Social Justice Commission (ISJC), working in collaboration with the movement's Caribbean Territory, as part of Haiti's Universal Periodic Review.
The Universal Periodic Review examines the human rights record of every UN Member State and provides recommendations aimed at strengthening the protection and fulfilment of human rights.
Through its engagement with the United Nations and its presence alongside communities around the world, the ISJC continues to bring frontline experience into international discussions and advocate for the voices and rights of people who are most vulnerable.
As we celebrated the International Day of the Girl yesterday on 11 October 2026, the intervention underlines the ISJC's continuing advocacy for girls and other children whose rights and safety are threatened by conflict, displacement and violence.
***
Original text here: https://www.salvationarmy.org/news/salvation-army-calls-greater-protection-women-and-children-haiti (TNSmrp)
JOHN LOTT HONORED AS 'GUN RIGHTS DEFENDER OF THE YEAR' BY CCRKBA
BELLEVUE, Washington, Oct. 12 [Category: Political] -- The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms issued the following news release:
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JOHN LOTT HONORED AS 'GUN RIGHTS DEFENDER OF THE YEAR' BY CCRKBA
*
BELLEVUE, WA - Internationally-recognized firearms researcher and author Dr. John Lott, founder and president of the Montana-based Crime Prevention Research Center, was honored during this year's Gun Rights Policy Conference (GRPC) as the recipient of the "Gun Rights Defender of the Year" by the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms.
Lott gained national ... Show Full Article BELLEVUE, Washington, Oct. 12 [Category: Political] -- The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms issued the following news release: * * * JOHN LOTT HONORED AS 'GUN RIGHTS DEFENDER OF THE YEAR' BY CCRKBA * BELLEVUE, WA - Internationally-recognized firearms researcher and author Dr. John Lott, founder and president of the Montana-based Crime Prevention Research Center, was honored during this year's Gun Rights Policy Conference (GRPC) as the recipient of the "Gun Rights Defender of the Year" by the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. Lott gained nationalattention with the publication of his book More Guns, Less Crime almost 28 years ago. It offered a much-welcomed contrast to arguments by gun prohibitionists that increasing private gun ownership would result in an increase in deadly violent crime. Almost three decades later, Lott's original contention appears to be vindicated with violent crime data showing a significant decrease, while American gun ownership has been expanding.
"It's been almost exactly 30 years," Lott said, "since my first research got attention in August 1996. It's kind of hard to believe it's been 30 years since I've been involved in this effort. I greatly appreciate this, and the support from all of you makes the type of research that we do possible. Thank you."
"John Lott is a person we all know," said CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb, "and quite frankly over the years he has done extra work this past year, and without his efforts, the gun rights movement would not have the ammunition to win all of its battles."
The presentation occurred during the 41st annual GRPC held in Dallas, Texas. The annual conference brings together the leaders in America's Second Amendment movement, together with grassroots activists from across the country. CCRKBA co-hosts the event with its sister organization, the Second Amendment Foundation.
Dr. Lott has appeared at previous conferences, and his presentations have always been informative and loaded with information.
***
Original text here: https://ccrkba.org/john-lott-honored-as-gun-rights-defender-of-the-year-by-ccrkba/
* * *
JOHN LOTT HONORED AS 'GUN RIGHTS DEFENDER OF THE YEAR' BY CCRKBA
*
BELLEVUE, WA - Internationally-recognized firearms researcher and author Dr. John Lott, founder and president of the Montana-based Crime Prevention Research Center, was honored during this year's Gun Rights Policy Conference (GRPC) as the recipient of the "Gun Rights Defender of the Year" by the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms.
Lott gained national ... Show Full Article BELLEVUE, Washington, Oct. 12 [Category: Political] -- The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms issued the following news release: * * * JOHN LOTT HONORED AS 'GUN RIGHTS DEFENDER OF THE YEAR' BY CCRKBA * BELLEVUE, WA - Internationally-recognized firearms researcher and author Dr. John Lott, founder and president of the Montana-based Crime Prevention Research Center, was honored during this year's Gun Rights Policy Conference (GRPC) as the recipient of the "Gun Rights Defender of the Year" by the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. Lott gained nationalattention with the publication of his book More Guns, Less Crime almost 28 years ago. It offered a much-welcomed contrast to arguments by gun prohibitionists that increasing private gun ownership would result in an increase in deadly violent crime. Almost three decades later, Lott's original contention appears to be vindicated with violent crime data showing a significant decrease, while American gun ownership has been expanding.
"It's been almost exactly 30 years," Lott said, "since my first research got attention in August 1996. It's kind of hard to believe it's been 30 years since I've been involved in this effort. I greatly appreciate this, and the support from all of you makes the type of research that we do possible. Thank you."
"John Lott is a person we all know," said CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb, "and quite frankly over the years he has done extra work this past year, and without his efforts, the gun rights movement would not have the ammunition to win all of its battles."
The presentation occurred during the 41st annual GRPC held in Dallas, Texas. The annual conference brings together the leaders in America's Second Amendment movement, together with grassroots activists from across the country. CCRKBA co-hosts the event with its sister organization, the Second Amendment Foundation.
Dr. Lott has appeared at previous conferences, and his presentations have always been informative and loaded with information.
***
Original text here: https://ccrkba.org/john-lott-honored-as-gun-rights-defender-of-the-year-by-ccrkba/
FSC welcomes Claudiu Luntraru as Country Manager for FSC Romania
BONN, Germany, Oct. 12 [Category: Agriculture] -- The Forest Stewardship Council posted the following news:
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FSC welcomes Claudiu Luntraru as Country Manager for FSC Romania
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FSC is delighted to welcome Claudiu Luntraru as its new Country Manager for FSC Romania, where he will lead the organization's work to promote responsible forest management through dialogue, collaboration, and credible certification solutions that support Romania's forests and the businesses and local communities that depend on them.
His appointment comes as FSC Romania continues to strengthen its presence in the ... Show Full Article BONN, Germany, Oct. 12 [Category: Agriculture] -- The Forest Stewardship Council posted the following news: * * * FSC welcomes Claudiu Luntraru as Country Manager for FSC Romania * FSC is delighted to welcome Claudiu Luntraru as its new Country Manager for FSC Romania, where he will lead the organization's work to promote responsible forest management through dialogue, collaboration, and credible certification solutions that support Romania's forests and the businesses and local communities that depend on them. His appointment comes as FSC Romania continues to strengthen its presence in thecountry and expand its engagement with forest owners, businesses, civil society organizations, public authorities, and local communities. Under his leadership, FSC Romania will focus on supporting credible and practical certification solutions while fostering constructive dialogue on the future of Romania's forests.
He brings nearly two decades of experience, extensive expertise in certification, auditing, and operational leadership, including more than 12 years with the global certification group RINA. With a strong record of building trusted stakeholder relationships and strengthening certification systems, Luntraru combines strategic leadership with practical knowledge of the challenges that both forests and businesses face.
"For most of my career, I have worked on the assurance side of the market, where I saw both the value that credible certification can bring and the challenges faced by those applying it every day," said Luntraru.
"I chose FSC because it brings environmental, social, and economic interests together in a way few organizations can. I look forward to working with stakeholders across Romania to support responsible forest management and strengthen constructive dialogue about the future of the country's forests."
A native of Transylvania, Luntraru grew up surrounded by the forests and landscapes that have shaped the region's identity for generations, giving him a deep personal connection to the forests he now works to support and protect.
"I know how much these forests mean to the people who live alongside them. For me, this role is a way of giving back to the forests that shaped me," he added.
Luntraru's immediate priorities will include connecting with key stakeholders across the forestry sector and strengthening FSC's contribution to responsible forest management in Romania's evolving forestry landscape.
***
Original text here: https://fsc.org/en/newscentre/general-news/fsc-welcomes-claudiu-luntraru-as-country-manager-for-fsc-romania
* * *
FSC welcomes Claudiu Luntraru as Country Manager for FSC Romania
*
FSC is delighted to welcome Claudiu Luntraru as its new Country Manager for FSC Romania, where he will lead the organization's work to promote responsible forest management through dialogue, collaboration, and credible certification solutions that support Romania's forests and the businesses and local communities that depend on them.
His appointment comes as FSC Romania continues to strengthen its presence in the ... Show Full Article BONN, Germany, Oct. 12 [Category: Agriculture] -- The Forest Stewardship Council posted the following news: * * * FSC welcomes Claudiu Luntraru as Country Manager for FSC Romania * FSC is delighted to welcome Claudiu Luntraru as its new Country Manager for FSC Romania, where he will lead the organization's work to promote responsible forest management through dialogue, collaboration, and credible certification solutions that support Romania's forests and the businesses and local communities that depend on them. His appointment comes as FSC Romania continues to strengthen its presence in thecountry and expand its engagement with forest owners, businesses, civil society organizations, public authorities, and local communities. Under his leadership, FSC Romania will focus on supporting credible and practical certification solutions while fostering constructive dialogue on the future of Romania's forests.
He brings nearly two decades of experience, extensive expertise in certification, auditing, and operational leadership, including more than 12 years with the global certification group RINA. With a strong record of building trusted stakeholder relationships and strengthening certification systems, Luntraru combines strategic leadership with practical knowledge of the challenges that both forests and businesses face.
"For most of my career, I have worked on the assurance side of the market, where I saw both the value that credible certification can bring and the challenges faced by those applying it every day," said Luntraru.
"I chose FSC because it brings environmental, social, and economic interests together in a way few organizations can. I look forward to working with stakeholders across Romania to support responsible forest management and strengthen constructive dialogue about the future of the country's forests."
A native of Transylvania, Luntraru grew up surrounded by the forests and landscapes that have shaped the region's identity for generations, giving him a deep personal connection to the forests he now works to support and protect.
"I know how much these forests mean to the people who live alongside them. For me, this role is a way of giving back to the forests that shaped me," he added.
Luntraru's immediate priorities will include connecting with key stakeholders across the forestry sector and strengthening FSC's contribution to responsible forest management in Romania's evolving forestry landscape.
***
Original text here: https://fsc.org/en/newscentre/general-news/fsc-welcomes-claudiu-luntraru-as-country-manager-for-fsc-romania
Emery Smith, Ben Hill Griffin, Inc., Reflects on Year of Leadership as CFDC Board Chair
WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 [Category: Real Estate] -- The Central Florida Development Council posted the following news:
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Emery Smith, Ben Hill Griffin, Inc., Reflects on Year of Leadership as CFDC Board Chair
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Smith's decades of experience with Ben Hill Griffin, Inc. (BHG), coupled with his years of service on the CFDC Board of Directors, grounded his year as Chair in a steadfast commitment to the Polk County community.
Smith concluded his year as Chair of the organization with the change of the fiscal year in October.
"Emery's steady hand, calm leadership, and deep commitment to Polk County's ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 [Category: Real Estate] -- The Central Florida Development Council posted the following news: * * * Emery Smith, Ben Hill Griffin, Inc., Reflects on Year of Leadership as CFDC Board Chair * Smith's decades of experience with Ben Hill Griffin, Inc. (BHG), coupled with his years of service on the CFDC Board of Directors, grounded his year as Chair in a steadfast commitment to the Polk County community. Smith concluded his year as Chair of the organization with the change of the fiscal year in October. "Emery's steady hand, calm leadership, and deep commitment to Polk County'seconomic future have made a meaningful difference - not only to this organization, but also to the broader community we serve," said Sean Malott, President and CEO of the Central Florida Development Council.
About Emery Smith
Smith has worked with BHG for nearly 30 years. His passion for citrus can be traced back to his father, who moved to Frostproof in the 1980s after the devastating freezes destroyed much of the citrus crop north of Polk County. He attended Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida, where he earned a degree in citrus business before launching his career with BHG. He currently serves as Executive Vice President.
Smith believes his role at BHG provided valuable perspective during his tenure as CFDC Board Chair.
"[At BHG] I have been able to be a part of development, property management, rezoning and other projects that help me understand what companies are looking for and need to do as they evaluate establishing in our community," he said.
Serving with the CFDC
Smith has been on the Board of Directors for a number of years. When asked what stands out most about his time with the CFDC, he reflected on the Central Florida Innovation District, which leverages the strength of anchor institutions Florida Polytechnic University and SunTrax to drive the future of innovation and technology.
"The advancements that are being made in the Innovation District are quite evident. This is not the result of one single project or group, but the efforts made by many over many years," he shared.
Smith has consistently advocated for a team-focused approach to leadership. When he stepped into the role of Chair in 2025, he stated, "The true strength comes from a very diverse board and investor membership. There are so many talented people who work in most aspects of the business community."
Malott praised Smith for his impact on the organization.
"Emery led with vision, integrity, and an unwavering focus on collaboration. Whether navigating opportunities or addressing challenges, his leadership has helped move the CFDC forward with strength and purpose," he said.
A Fulfilling Experience
Smith describes his experience as Board Chair as rewarding. He highlighted the opportunity to build relationships and work with others throughout the Polk County community as one of the most rewarding aspects of his experience.
He also voiced his appreciation for the CFDC team.
"Getting to work closely with the CFDC staff has been a real privilege," said Smith. "This is a great team that has the best interests of the community at the heart of their work. They do much more than just working to bring quality businesses to our communities. They work to establish relationships in all that they do, and it is evident when you have the opportunity to work with them."
Strengthening Polk by Building Connections
Smith also spoke about the impact of the people and companies he connected with through the CFDC. One of those people is Dave Shepp of The Southern Group, the CFDC's Immediate Past Chair, who completed his final year on the Board of Directors this year.
Shepp described Smith's leadership in three words: "strong, steady leadership."
"Emery is focused and does not rattle easily (a vital quality for those in the citrus industry). He has greatly enhanced the Board by bringing the perspective of how Polk's legacy agriculture and environmental communities can mesh with the growth that we are experiencing," said Shepp.
As Smith passes the torch to incoming Board Chair Brandon Clark of The Ruthvens, his year of leadership reflects the collaborative spirit that drives the CFDC's work. His perspective, shaped by decades in Polk County's agricultural and business communities, reinforces the importance of bringing diverse voices together to guide the region's growth. That shared commitment will remain essential as the CFDC continues working to strengthen Polk County's economy and expand opportunities for its businesses and residents.
***
Original text here: https://www.cfdc.org/emery-smith-ben-hill-griffin-inc-reflects-on-year-of-leadership-as-cfdc-board-chair/
* * *
Emery Smith, Ben Hill Griffin, Inc., Reflects on Year of Leadership as CFDC Board Chair
*
Smith's decades of experience with Ben Hill Griffin, Inc. (BHG), coupled with his years of service on the CFDC Board of Directors, grounded his year as Chair in a steadfast commitment to the Polk County community.
Smith concluded his year as Chair of the organization with the change of the fiscal year in October.
"Emery's steady hand, calm leadership, and deep commitment to Polk County's ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 [Category: Real Estate] -- The Central Florida Development Council posted the following news: * * * Emery Smith, Ben Hill Griffin, Inc., Reflects on Year of Leadership as CFDC Board Chair * Smith's decades of experience with Ben Hill Griffin, Inc. (BHG), coupled with his years of service on the CFDC Board of Directors, grounded his year as Chair in a steadfast commitment to the Polk County community. Smith concluded his year as Chair of the organization with the change of the fiscal year in October. "Emery's steady hand, calm leadership, and deep commitment to Polk County'seconomic future have made a meaningful difference - not only to this organization, but also to the broader community we serve," said Sean Malott, President and CEO of the Central Florida Development Council.
About Emery Smith
Smith has worked with BHG for nearly 30 years. His passion for citrus can be traced back to his father, who moved to Frostproof in the 1980s after the devastating freezes destroyed much of the citrus crop north of Polk County. He attended Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida, where he earned a degree in citrus business before launching his career with BHG. He currently serves as Executive Vice President.
Smith believes his role at BHG provided valuable perspective during his tenure as CFDC Board Chair.
"[At BHG] I have been able to be a part of development, property management, rezoning and other projects that help me understand what companies are looking for and need to do as they evaluate establishing in our community," he said.
Serving with the CFDC
Smith has been on the Board of Directors for a number of years. When asked what stands out most about his time with the CFDC, he reflected on the Central Florida Innovation District, which leverages the strength of anchor institutions Florida Polytechnic University and SunTrax to drive the future of innovation and technology.
"The advancements that are being made in the Innovation District are quite evident. This is not the result of one single project or group, but the efforts made by many over many years," he shared.
Smith has consistently advocated for a team-focused approach to leadership. When he stepped into the role of Chair in 2025, he stated, "The true strength comes from a very diverse board and investor membership. There are so many talented people who work in most aspects of the business community."
Malott praised Smith for his impact on the organization.
"Emery led with vision, integrity, and an unwavering focus on collaboration. Whether navigating opportunities or addressing challenges, his leadership has helped move the CFDC forward with strength and purpose," he said.
A Fulfilling Experience
Smith describes his experience as Board Chair as rewarding. He highlighted the opportunity to build relationships and work with others throughout the Polk County community as one of the most rewarding aspects of his experience.
He also voiced his appreciation for the CFDC team.
"Getting to work closely with the CFDC staff has been a real privilege," said Smith. "This is a great team that has the best interests of the community at the heart of their work. They do much more than just working to bring quality businesses to our communities. They work to establish relationships in all that they do, and it is evident when you have the opportunity to work with them."
Strengthening Polk by Building Connections
Smith also spoke about the impact of the people and companies he connected with through the CFDC. One of those people is Dave Shepp of The Southern Group, the CFDC's Immediate Past Chair, who completed his final year on the Board of Directors this year.
Shepp described Smith's leadership in three words: "strong, steady leadership."
"Emery is focused and does not rattle easily (a vital quality for those in the citrus industry). He has greatly enhanced the Board by bringing the perspective of how Polk's legacy agriculture and environmental communities can mesh with the growth that we are experiencing," said Shepp.
As Smith passes the torch to incoming Board Chair Brandon Clark of The Ruthvens, his year of leadership reflects the collaborative spirit that drives the CFDC's work. His perspective, shaped by decades in Polk County's agricultural and business communities, reinforces the importance of bringing diverse voices together to guide the region's growth. That shared commitment will remain essential as the CFDC continues working to strengthen Polk County's economy and expand opportunities for its businesses and residents.
***
Original text here: https://www.cfdc.org/emery-smith-ben-hill-griffin-inc-reflects-on-year-of-leadership-as-cfdc-board-chair/
Defense Department Plan for Public Execution Draws Widespread Condemnation
MONTGOMERY, Alabama, Oct. 12 [Category: Sociological] -- The Equal Justice Initiative posted the following news:
* * *
Defense Department Plan for Public Execution Draws Widespread Condemnation
*
On October 8, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced plans to livestream the public execution by firing squad of Nidal Malik Hasan, a decision that has drawn widespread condemnation in the U.S. and worldwide. Human rights organizations, counterterrorism experts, and a bipartisan chorus of political officials have united in denouncing the planned public execution.
The killing of Mr. Hasan would ... Show Full Article MONTGOMERY, Alabama, Oct. 12 [Category: Sociological] -- The Equal Justice Initiative posted the following news: * * * Defense Department Plan for Public Execution Draws Widespread Condemnation * On October 8, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced plans to livestream the public execution by firing squad of Nidal Malik Hasan, a decision that has drawn widespread condemnation in the U.S. and worldwide. Human rights organizations, counterterrorism experts, and a bipartisan chorus of political officials have united in denouncing the planned public execution. The killing of Mr. Hasan wouldbe the first public execution in the U.S. in more than 85 years and carries disturbing echoes of the era of public spectacle violence in our nation's past that many hoped we would never return to.
Mr. Hasan is paralyzed from the chest down and uses a wheelchair. He will be wheeled to a space where he will face multiple armed soldiers with rifles. He will be shot to death even though he cannot stand. The Defense Department contends this will demonstrate the power of the American military, while others contend it is a depraved act that screams of moral weakness.
After serving in the U.S. Army as a psychiatrist, Mr. Hasan was convicted of killing 13 people and wounding 32 others in a 2009 mass shooting at Fort Hood in Texas. He stated he wished he had died in the attack in order to achieve martyrdom for protesting U.S. military campaigns in the Middle East. Mr. Hasan survived but told a panel of military mental health experts in 2010 that if he were to be executed for his actions, "I would still be a martyr."
Public Executions Violate International Law
Hegseth's announcement of Mr. Hasan's public execution was condemned globally as an affront to human rights and a violation of international law.
A spokesperson for the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights decried the plan as a breach of the prohibition of torture: "Failure to respect this prohibition would inevitably render the execution arbitrary in nature, and result in a violation of the right to life and the absolute prohibition of torture."
Permitting the death penalty at all already makes the U.S. an outlier among democracies around the world. The only countries that carry out executions publicly, an even smaller group, are some with the worst human rights records such as North Korea, Iran, and Afghanistan.
Earlier this year, Iran staged hangings in a public square of citizens accused of engaging in anti-government protests. Taliban officials in Afghanistan publicly executed at least six people in 2025, some of whom were killed in front of thousands of spectators in sports stadiums.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk previously held that the public executions carried out in Afghanistan and Iran "constitute a form of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment."
In addition, the livestreaming of public killings is a frequent tactic of terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda and ISIS.
Bipartisan Opposition to Public Spectacle Executions
The decision was also met with bipartisan rebuke in the U.S. "[M]aking his execution public and streaming it? Beyond disgusting," Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, wrote. "Public executions are what oppressive dictatorships like Iran and Afghanistan do. It should not be happening in America."
"[L]ive-streaming executions is what jihadists do," Rep. Austin Scott, a Republican from Georgia, stated. "America is better than that."
"Calling for a livestream of the execution of Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan is disturbing and makes a mockery of our legal system," the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee Rep. Adam Smith, a Democrat from Washington, said. "We are a democratic country and should take the rule of law seriously, not turn it into a spectacle."
Sen. Jack Reed, a Rhode Island Democrat serving on the Senate Armed Services Committee, called the proposed livestreaming of the execution "a barbaric spectacle" and "a gift to anti-American terrorist recruiters."
The Glorification of Violence
Many experts also believe that, rather than serving as a deterrent, a public execution of Mr. Hasan will actually glorify his actions and encourage those who wish to emulate him.
"The video of a wheelchair-bound Hasan executed by firing squad will serve as ready-made propaganda for jihadist groups like Al Qaeda and Islamic State," counterterrorism expert Colin P. Clarke told the New York Times.
Former director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center Joe Kent wrote, "Streaming [Hasan's] execution is not just a stain on our morality-it also gives the terrorists free propaganda that they will use to radicalize & recruit more terrorists."
According to an organization that tracks global terrorism groups, the announcement of a planned public execution by firing squad is already being used to encourage extremist activity on online platforms. Another organization published a report containing an online post from an Al Qaeda supporter which suggested that the public execution of Mr. Hasan could lead to the "hijacking of American planes and the killing of American soldiers."
Public Spectacle Lynching and Public Executions
The U.S. has not witnessed public executions since the 1930s. Rainey Bethea, a young Black man, was hanged in front of 20,000 people in Owensboro, Kentucky, after he was convicted of raping a white woman in 1936. The state-sponsored hanging of Mr. Bethea came amidst decades of lynchings, during which thousands of Americans were killed by their fellow citizens in spectacle violence.
EJI has documented scores of Black people who were lynched in the U.S. in the 1930s alone, including 10 in the year that Mr. Bethea was publicly hanged.
These killings were often advertised in advance and attracted large mobs that included public officials. Of all lynchings after 1900, only 1% resulted in a mob member ever facing any punishment.
Between 1865 and 1950, at least 16 people of color were lynched in Bell and Coryell counties in Texas, where Fort Hood is located and where Mr. Hasan is scheduled to be executed.
As early as the 1920s, lynchings became increasingly disfavored because of the "bad press" they garnered. In response, state legislatures shifted to capital punishment so that legal and ostensibly unbiased court proceedings could serve the same purposes as vigilante violence.
Yet many public killings in this era were virtually indistinguishable from lynchings and took place alongside the threat of mob violence. Defendants during this era often learned that being sentenced to death rather than lynched did little to increase the fairness of trial, reliability of conviction, or justness of sentence.
Six million Black people fled the American South in response to terrorism and lynching. Bringing back public execution in many ways is a provocation to millions of people who endured lawless spectacle executions with no recourse or government aid.
Racial Disparities in Military Executions
As with civilian trials, military proceedings are also significantly more likely to result in death sentences when the defendant is a person of color compared to if they are white. Since 1951, nine out of the 10 people executed by the U.S. military were Black. Mr. Hasan is an American citizen of Arab descent. His public execution by firing squad has been scheduled for December 3.
Three more Americans remain on the military's death row.
***
Original text here: https://eji.org/news/defense-department-plan-for-public-execution-draws-widespread-condemnation/ (TNSmrp)
* * *
Defense Department Plan for Public Execution Draws Widespread Condemnation
*
On October 8, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced plans to livestream the public execution by firing squad of Nidal Malik Hasan, a decision that has drawn widespread condemnation in the U.S. and worldwide. Human rights organizations, counterterrorism experts, and a bipartisan chorus of political officials have united in denouncing the planned public execution.
The killing of Mr. Hasan would ... Show Full Article MONTGOMERY, Alabama, Oct. 12 [Category: Sociological] -- The Equal Justice Initiative posted the following news: * * * Defense Department Plan for Public Execution Draws Widespread Condemnation * On October 8, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced plans to livestream the public execution by firing squad of Nidal Malik Hasan, a decision that has drawn widespread condemnation in the U.S. and worldwide. Human rights organizations, counterterrorism experts, and a bipartisan chorus of political officials have united in denouncing the planned public execution. The killing of Mr. Hasan wouldbe the first public execution in the U.S. in more than 85 years and carries disturbing echoes of the era of public spectacle violence in our nation's past that many hoped we would never return to.
Mr. Hasan is paralyzed from the chest down and uses a wheelchair. He will be wheeled to a space where he will face multiple armed soldiers with rifles. He will be shot to death even though he cannot stand. The Defense Department contends this will demonstrate the power of the American military, while others contend it is a depraved act that screams of moral weakness.
After serving in the U.S. Army as a psychiatrist, Mr. Hasan was convicted of killing 13 people and wounding 32 others in a 2009 mass shooting at Fort Hood in Texas. He stated he wished he had died in the attack in order to achieve martyrdom for protesting U.S. military campaigns in the Middle East. Mr. Hasan survived but told a panel of military mental health experts in 2010 that if he were to be executed for his actions, "I would still be a martyr."
Public Executions Violate International Law
Hegseth's announcement of Mr. Hasan's public execution was condemned globally as an affront to human rights and a violation of international law.
A spokesperson for the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights decried the plan as a breach of the prohibition of torture: "Failure to respect this prohibition would inevitably render the execution arbitrary in nature, and result in a violation of the right to life and the absolute prohibition of torture."
Permitting the death penalty at all already makes the U.S. an outlier among democracies around the world. The only countries that carry out executions publicly, an even smaller group, are some with the worst human rights records such as North Korea, Iran, and Afghanistan.
Earlier this year, Iran staged hangings in a public square of citizens accused of engaging in anti-government protests. Taliban officials in Afghanistan publicly executed at least six people in 2025, some of whom were killed in front of thousands of spectators in sports stadiums.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk previously held that the public executions carried out in Afghanistan and Iran "constitute a form of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment."
In addition, the livestreaming of public killings is a frequent tactic of terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda and ISIS.
Bipartisan Opposition to Public Spectacle Executions
The decision was also met with bipartisan rebuke in the U.S. "[M]aking his execution public and streaming it? Beyond disgusting," Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, wrote. "Public executions are what oppressive dictatorships like Iran and Afghanistan do. It should not be happening in America."
"[L]ive-streaming executions is what jihadists do," Rep. Austin Scott, a Republican from Georgia, stated. "America is better than that."
"Calling for a livestream of the execution of Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan is disturbing and makes a mockery of our legal system," the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee Rep. Adam Smith, a Democrat from Washington, said. "We are a democratic country and should take the rule of law seriously, not turn it into a spectacle."
Sen. Jack Reed, a Rhode Island Democrat serving on the Senate Armed Services Committee, called the proposed livestreaming of the execution "a barbaric spectacle" and "a gift to anti-American terrorist recruiters."
The Glorification of Violence
Many experts also believe that, rather than serving as a deterrent, a public execution of Mr. Hasan will actually glorify his actions and encourage those who wish to emulate him.
"The video of a wheelchair-bound Hasan executed by firing squad will serve as ready-made propaganda for jihadist groups like Al Qaeda and Islamic State," counterterrorism expert Colin P. Clarke told the New York Times.
Former director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center Joe Kent wrote, "Streaming [Hasan's] execution is not just a stain on our morality-it also gives the terrorists free propaganda that they will use to radicalize & recruit more terrorists."
According to an organization that tracks global terrorism groups, the announcement of a planned public execution by firing squad is already being used to encourage extremist activity on online platforms. Another organization published a report containing an online post from an Al Qaeda supporter which suggested that the public execution of Mr. Hasan could lead to the "hijacking of American planes and the killing of American soldiers."
Public Spectacle Lynching and Public Executions
The U.S. has not witnessed public executions since the 1930s. Rainey Bethea, a young Black man, was hanged in front of 20,000 people in Owensboro, Kentucky, after he was convicted of raping a white woman in 1936. The state-sponsored hanging of Mr. Bethea came amidst decades of lynchings, during which thousands of Americans were killed by their fellow citizens in spectacle violence.
EJI has documented scores of Black people who were lynched in the U.S. in the 1930s alone, including 10 in the year that Mr. Bethea was publicly hanged.
These killings were often advertised in advance and attracted large mobs that included public officials. Of all lynchings after 1900, only 1% resulted in a mob member ever facing any punishment.
Between 1865 and 1950, at least 16 people of color were lynched in Bell and Coryell counties in Texas, where Fort Hood is located and where Mr. Hasan is scheduled to be executed.
As early as the 1920s, lynchings became increasingly disfavored because of the "bad press" they garnered. In response, state legislatures shifted to capital punishment so that legal and ostensibly unbiased court proceedings could serve the same purposes as vigilante violence.
Yet many public killings in this era were virtually indistinguishable from lynchings and took place alongside the threat of mob violence. Defendants during this era often learned that being sentenced to death rather than lynched did little to increase the fairness of trial, reliability of conviction, or justness of sentence.
Six million Black people fled the American South in response to terrorism and lynching. Bringing back public execution in many ways is a provocation to millions of people who endured lawless spectacle executions with no recourse or government aid.
Racial Disparities in Military Executions
As with civilian trials, military proceedings are also significantly more likely to result in death sentences when the defendant is a person of color compared to if they are white. Since 1951, nine out of the 10 people executed by the U.S. military were Black. Mr. Hasan is an American citizen of Arab descent. His public execution by firing squad has been scheduled for December 3.
Three more Americans remain on the military's death row.
***
Original text here: https://eji.org/news/defense-department-plan-for-public-execution-draws-widespread-condemnation/ (TNSmrp)
A Rejection of Extremism: Months After Florida Lawmakers Passed Law Allowing Staff to Act as Armed Guards for College and University Campuses, Zero Florida Higher Education Institutions Have Opted In
NEW YORK, Oct. 12 [Category: Sociological] -- Everytown for Gun Safety posted the following news release:
* * *
A Rejection of Extremism: Months After Florida Lawmakers Passed Law Allowing Staff to Act as Armed Guards for College and University Campuses, Zero Florida Higher Education Institutions Have Opted In
*
Despite Lawmakers Forcing HB 757 Through the Legislature, Colleges and Universities Across Florida Reject Arming Campus Faculty and Staff, Highlighting a Massive Disconnect Between State Lawmakers and the Communities They Represent
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Today, Everytown for Gun Safety, ... Show Full Article NEW YORK, Oct. 12 [Category: Sociological] -- Everytown for Gun Safety posted the following news release: * * * A Rejection of Extremism: Months After Florida Lawmakers Passed Law Allowing Staff to Act as Armed Guards for College and University Campuses, Zero Florida Higher Education Institutions Have Opted In * Despite Lawmakers Forcing HB 757 Through the Legislature, Colleges and Universities Across Florida Reject Arming Campus Faculty and Staff, Highlighting a Massive Disconnect Between State Lawmakers and the Communities They Represent TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Today, Everytown for Gun Safety,along with its grassroots networks Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, released the following statements marking a critical turning point for gun safety in Florida: months after state lawmakers passed HB 757 and expanded the state's Guardian Program to college campuses, not a single college or university in Florida has publicly opted into the program.
The legislation, passed in May despite overwhelming public outcry from students, faculty, survivors, and community members, allowed higher education leaders to authorize faculty and staff to carry concealed firearms on campus. Yet as campuses across the state settle into the fall semester, universities have delivered an unmistakable verdict by refusing to participate.
"In the aftermath of the mass shooting at FSU, students across Florida called on lawmakers to do more to keep their campuses safe from gun violence. Lawmakers responded by offering to arm professors, but a month into the semester, no university in Florida has opted into the program," said U.S. Representative Maxwell Frost. "That should be a signal that we need to take a step back and listen to what students, faculty, and campus leaders are saying they actually need to feel safe. Our focus should be on commonsense measures that prevent gun violence before it happens, not putting more guns into classrooms."
"Students, faculty, staff, and families made it clear they don't want more guns on our campuses, and they meant it. That's why not one school has opted into this program," said Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action. "The people have spoken. Now lawmakers need to listen. This November, voters will remember who catered to the gun lobby, and who stood up for the safety of our communities."
"Florida lawmakers claimed this program was necessary, but a month into the school year, not a single institution has chosen to adopt it. That non-participation isn't an accident. It's a clear sign that campus leaders recognize bringing more guns into lecture halls and libraries doesn't make us safer," said Emily Dorman, a volunteer with the Florida State University Students Demand Action group. "We applaud our university administrators for listening to their students and keeping this dangerous program right where it belongs: off our campuses."
The complete lack of participation across Florida's higher education system highlights a stark contrast between the agenda pushed by state leadership and the actual safety needs of students. Rather than investing in evidence-based prevention strategies, mental health resources, or common-sense gun safety policies like secure storage laws, lawmakers forced through a measure that higher education leaders have overwhelmingly deemed unnecessary and dangerous.
To speak with a volunteer from Students Demand Action or Moms Demand Action, please contact press@everytown.org.
***
Original text here: https://www.everytown.org/press/a-rejection-of-extremism-months-after-florida-lawmakers-passed-law-allowing-staff-to-act-as-armed-guards-for-college-and-university-campuses-zero-florida-higher-education-institutions-have-opted-in/
* * *
A Rejection of Extremism: Months After Florida Lawmakers Passed Law Allowing Staff to Act as Armed Guards for College and University Campuses, Zero Florida Higher Education Institutions Have Opted In
*
Despite Lawmakers Forcing HB 757 Through the Legislature, Colleges and Universities Across Florida Reject Arming Campus Faculty and Staff, Highlighting a Massive Disconnect Between State Lawmakers and the Communities They Represent
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Today, Everytown for Gun Safety, ... Show Full Article NEW YORK, Oct. 12 [Category: Sociological] -- Everytown for Gun Safety posted the following news release: * * * A Rejection of Extremism: Months After Florida Lawmakers Passed Law Allowing Staff to Act as Armed Guards for College and University Campuses, Zero Florida Higher Education Institutions Have Opted In * Despite Lawmakers Forcing HB 757 Through the Legislature, Colleges and Universities Across Florida Reject Arming Campus Faculty and Staff, Highlighting a Massive Disconnect Between State Lawmakers and the Communities They Represent TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Today, Everytown for Gun Safety,along with its grassroots networks Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, released the following statements marking a critical turning point for gun safety in Florida: months after state lawmakers passed HB 757 and expanded the state's Guardian Program to college campuses, not a single college or university in Florida has publicly opted into the program.
The legislation, passed in May despite overwhelming public outcry from students, faculty, survivors, and community members, allowed higher education leaders to authorize faculty and staff to carry concealed firearms on campus. Yet as campuses across the state settle into the fall semester, universities have delivered an unmistakable verdict by refusing to participate.
"In the aftermath of the mass shooting at FSU, students across Florida called on lawmakers to do more to keep their campuses safe from gun violence. Lawmakers responded by offering to arm professors, but a month into the semester, no university in Florida has opted into the program," said U.S. Representative Maxwell Frost. "That should be a signal that we need to take a step back and listen to what students, faculty, and campus leaders are saying they actually need to feel safe. Our focus should be on commonsense measures that prevent gun violence before it happens, not putting more guns into classrooms."
"Students, faculty, staff, and families made it clear they don't want more guns on our campuses, and they meant it. That's why not one school has opted into this program," said Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action. "The people have spoken. Now lawmakers need to listen. This November, voters will remember who catered to the gun lobby, and who stood up for the safety of our communities."
"Florida lawmakers claimed this program was necessary, but a month into the school year, not a single institution has chosen to adopt it. That non-participation isn't an accident. It's a clear sign that campus leaders recognize bringing more guns into lecture halls and libraries doesn't make us safer," said Emily Dorman, a volunteer with the Florida State University Students Demand Action group. "We applaud our university administrators for listening to their students and keeping this dangerous program right where it belongs: off our campuses."
The complete lack of participation across Florida's higher education system highlights a stark contrast between the agenda pushed by state leadership and the actual safety needs of students. Rather than investing in evidence-based prevention strategies, mental health resources, or common-sense gun safety policies like secure storage laws, lawmakers forced through a measure that higher education leaders have overwhelmingly deemed unnecessary and dangerous.
To speak with a volunteer from Students Demand Action or Moms Demand Action, please contact press@everytown.org.
***
Original text here: https://www.everytown.org/press/a-rejection-of-extremism-months-after-florida-lawmakers-passed-law-allowing-staff-to-act-as-armed-guards-for-college-and-university-campuses-zero-florida-higher-education-institutions-have-opted-in/