Amnesty International

Mr.

Macky

Sall

Republic of Senegal

Dear Mr President, Dear Minister of Justice,
 
On 8 April 2021, your government announced the establishment of an independent and impartial commission of inquiry to shed light on the March 2021 protests in which 14 people lost their lives.
 
On 8 December 2021, President Macky Sall declared that the Commission was no longer relevant due to the initiation of legal proceedings and internal investigations. However, to date, we have no information on this legal procedure.
 
On 1 June 2023, violent protests erupted in several cities in Senegal, following the trial for rape and death threats of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, sentenced to 2 years in prison for corrupting youth.

At least 23 people died since the demonstrations broke out. The national police announced more than 500 arrests, and at least 390 sustained injuries (Senegalese Red Cross). Most of the victims died from gunshot wounds. Through videos circulated widely on social media networks and authenticated by Amnesty International, we could see armed civilians alongside the defense and security forces brutally repressing demonstrators, physically abusing them and firing at protesters.

Beyond this violent repression, flagrant violations of freedom of expression and the right to information happened as the signal of the Walfadjri television channel was cut, journalists, activists, and dissident voices were arrested. Access to internet and social media was also restricted.
 
I demand that you take all possible measures for the opening of impartial, transparent and independent investigations into the deaths of protesters since the events of March 2021.

I urge you to ensure that all possible measures will be put in place to end the presence of unidentified individuals for law enforcement operations.

It is also crucial that the Senegalese authorities respect the right to freedom of expression and the right to information by refraining from suspending access to the internet, especially in a crisis.

I also ask you to unconditionally release those arbitrarily detained, including activists, journalists, and other dissident voices.

Please accept the expression of my highest consideration.

Ismaila Madior

Fall

Sénégal

I urge you to ensure that all possible measures will be put in place to end the presence of unidentified individuals for law enforcement operations.

I also ask you to unconditionally release those arbitrarily detained, including activists, journalists, and other dissident voices.

Please accept the expression of my highest consideration.

Oumar

Sénégal

I urge you to ensure that all possible measures will be put in place to end the presence of unidentified individuals for law enforcement operations.

I also ask you to unconditionally release those arbitrarily detained, including activists, journalists, and other dissident voices.

Please accept the expression of my highest consideration.