The bill introduced by the President of the Republic Macky Sall was adopted on Friday 25 June 2021 by most of the deputies. 70 MPs voted in favour and only 11 opposed this amendment on the criminal procedure code.The new law, adopted in spite of popular resistance, qualifies as terrorism “any unauthorized demonstration, the degradation of property belonging to the State or of public interest” ‘Offences related to information and communication technologies.
Senegal has just passed a new law on terrorism. This Friday, June 25, 2021, the deputies were called to appreciate a law that will make amendments on the code of criminal procedure. The majority of parliamentarians were in favour of this new legislation. 70 were in favour and 11, probably members of the opposition, were against this law which, for them, violates the basic freedoms of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution. What is actually going to change?
The new law will consider as an act of terrorism any unauthorised demonstrations, violence or assault committed against persons, destruction or damage committed during gatherings, association of criminals, crimes committed by participating in an insurgency movement, the manufacture or possession of prohibited weapons and offences related to information and communication technology.
The opposition and activists have been on the streets to oppose this law, which for them violates a fundamental right: the right to protest, to walk or simply to express their opposition to government policy.
