The UN Office for Human Rights said on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, “deeply concerned” about the human rights situation in Senegal following the death of at least sixteen demonstrators between June 1 and 3 and sees “a dark precedent”. in the use of firearms by law enforcement against demonstrators, the OHCHR said in a statement.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) also called for an “independent investigation” into the deaths of these demonstrators. The services of High Commissioner Volker Türk have taken note of the decision of the Senegalese authorities to open investigations, “we ask that they be prompt, independent and thorough.”, said OHCHR spokesperson Seif Magango at a regular UN press conference in Geneva.
For the UN, it is about ensuring that any person found responsible “for an unnecessary or disproportionate use of force is held accountable, regardless of their status and political affiliation.” In this regard, the Office of the High Commissioner has indicated its willingness to offer assistance on these investigations.
OHCHR deplores “dark precedent” in the use of firearms against protesters
From 1 to 3 June, Senegal suffered its worst unrest in years after opponent Ousmane Sonko was sentenced to two years in prison in a case of morals. The announcement of the sentence triggered violence that officially left 16 dead, but the NGO Amnesty International estimates the number of deaths at 23.
For its part, the High Commission mentions «at least» 16 people killed, 350 wounded and more than 500 arrested during three days of demonstrations, between 1 and 3 June.
The Office of the High Commissioner was also concerned about “continued restrictions” on freedom of expression and assembly.
Since the demonstrations on 3 June, the authorities have refused to allow at least two other demonstrations, including those scheduled for last Friday and Saturday. For the UN, it is the primary responsibility of the Senegalese authorities to preserve the country’s long-standing respect for democratic traditions and the rule of law.
OHCHR therefore calls on Dakar to guarantee the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression, as well as the right to information. It is also about ensuring that journalists can practise their profession freely and safely, especially as we approach the 2024 presidential election.
Suspension of the private channel Walfadjiri TV
“We are also concerned about continued restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly following the protests,” the High Commissioner said.
He refers in particular to the case of Walfadjiri TV, a privately-owned channel that covered the live demonstrations and which was suspended on 1 June «without clear legal justification and has still not been restored to this day».
The government has also ordered the suspension of a crowdfunding campaign to support the Dakarois press group “during the period when it cannot function,” Magango added.
In addition, access to mobile Internet services was also restricted between 1 and 6 June. For the UN, restrictions on Internet access, which had been justified by the government to end the “dissemination of hate and subversive messages, must be based on an unambiguous and publicly accessible law.” Such restrictions must be necessary to achieve a legitimate objective, as defined in human rights legislation, and be proportionate to that legitimate and non-discriminatory objective.”
More broadly, OHCHR reaffirms its willingness to continue working with the Senegalese government, civil society and other partners to strengthen the protection of human rights in this West African country.
