In Senegal, the proposed amnesty law is on the table of deputies, meeting in plenary, this Wednesday, March 6. Initiated by President Macky Sall to pacify the political space, after the shock caused by the postponement of the presidential election, this text – which divides the country and is controversial – promises amnesty for crimes occurring since February 2021, in connection with demonstrations or political accusations.
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With our correspondent in Dakar, Léa-Lisa Westerhoff
At Senegalthe debates around the examination of this amnesty law promise to last, because no less than 80 deputies asked to speak on this bill this Wednesday – much criticized by civil society, human rights protection organizations, members of the opposition, but also certain majority deputies.
From main concerns : that this amnesty prevents the work of justice, and in particular that those responsible for the deaths of men during these demonstrations – around sixty, according to Amnesty International – are never prosecuted after this amnesty. The same goes for victims of mistreatment.
The Minister of Justice Aïssata Tall Sall, who came to defend the bill in the technical committee on Tuesday, assured that the amnesty did not concern cases of torture or degrading treatment. And as for homicides, she said that it would be up to the judge to decide who could be amnestied or not in the last resort.
Distrust among opponents
Another question, that of repairs. The bill doesn’t talk about it. There will be a compensation mechanism for victims, again promised by the Minister of Justice – with a commission which will study cases on a case-by-case basis. But among the opponents of this bill, distrust is strong. In three years, no prosecution for homicide in the context of these demonstrations has yet been successful. Many would therefore have liked the text to be clearer.
From now on, the big question is to know what choice will the deputies make: vote for or against? The majority holds 81 seats in the National Assembly; it needs a minimum of 83 votes for the text to be adopted. Tuesday, the deputies of opposition party Pastef created a surprise by abstaining. They have not yet revealed their voting intention this Wednesday.
Suspense also on the side of Karim Wade’s party. The PDS said it would align itself with the voting choice of the main opposition coalition – Yewwi Askanwi, which has 39 seats in the assembly. These two groups, if they vote the same way, could tip the scales one way or the other. So everything is very open.
At 12:40 p.m. UT, three opposition deputies who spoke at the podium have already called for a vote against this text.
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