Where is Senegal on human rights? In its annual report published this week, Amnesty International examines the situation of human rights throughout the world. And concerning Senegal, often described as a “democratic model in West Africa”, the organization returns in particular to the riots of March 2021, which left at least 13 dead according to the official report, 14 according to Amnesty. Violent demonstrations which had broken out in the context of the legal case concerning the opponent Ousmane Sonko, the subject of a complaint for rape.
With our correspondent in Dakar, Charlotte Idrac
“ Excessive use of force “: this is what Amnesty International denounces during the demonstrations of March 2021. “ Security forces killed 14 people including 3 children when they fired live ammunition to disperse demonstrations (…) in Dakar, Bignona, Kaolack and Diaobé writes the organization, which points out that a year later, the independent commission of inquiry announced by the government has not been set up.
During these demonstrations in Dakar, armed individuals assisted police and attacked protesters added Amnesty. The Minister of the Interior then claimed that they were plainclothes police.
Regarding freedom of expression, the report recalls the suspension at the time of two private television channels, which had broadcast images of demonstrations live. ” The authorities had (also) restricted access to the internet and social networks in the run-up to a planned mobilization in Dakar “said Amnesty.
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Another point addressed by the report: the rights of LGBTI people, “ physically and publicly attacked in Dakar and Ziguinchor during the year “. While a collective demands to toughen the legislation against homosexuality, Amnesty International opposes this initiative “, described as “ totally unjustified », « acts against nature are already severely punished by the Senegalese penal code “.
Furthermore, with regard to children’s rights, Senegal has not fulfilled its obligation to protect (them) against ill-treatment according to the organization, which claims that “ hundreds of thousands of Koranic school students continued (over the past year) to be forced to beg “.
About the legal proceedings against Ousmane Sonko: the opponent assured Wednesday to be “available” to be heard by the courts. He calls on his supporters to keep (their) calm », and to « remain mobilized, the day when (he) voluntarily goes to answer the examining magistrate “.
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