The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (African Commission), at its 76th Ordinary Session held virtually from 19 July to 2 August 2023 ;
Recalling its mandate to promote and protect human and peoples' rights in Africa in accordance with Article 45 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (the African Charter);
Considering that the Republic of Senegal is a party to the African Charter and has undertaken to promote and protect human and peoples' rights;
Also considering the Constitutive Act of the African Union, the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, other regional and international human rights instruments and the Constitution of the Republic of Senegal;
Recalling its various press releases on the human rights situation in Senegal;
Considering the socio-political instability prevailing in Senegal following the various demonstrations on the public highway due in particular to the arrest and trial of Ousmane Sonko;
Considering also the imprisonment of Mr Ousmane Sonko followed by the dissolution on 31 July 2023 of the Political Party of African Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics and Fraternity (PASTEF), and the ensuing unre
Deploring the loss of human life following these demonstrations, as well as the destruction of private and public property;
Condemning the violence on the part of the demonstrators and the use of force by the authorities which has led to the loss of human life since March 2021,
concerned about the restrictions imposed by the government on access to social networks and the use of mobile data;
The Commission
1.Strongly condemns the persistent and serious violations of human rights which tarnish Senegal's reputation for democratic stability and commitment to the respect and protection of human rights;
2.Calls on the Senegalese Government to guarantee the right to freedom of opinion, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and freedom of peaceful demonstration in accordance with the Senegalese Constitution;
3.Calls on demonstrators to express their disagreement in strict compliance with the rules laid down by law;
4.Urges all parties to put an immediate end to violence, and more particularly calls on political leaders and other stakeholders to refrain from any act likely to undermine public order;
5.Calls on the Senegalese Government to ensure the security of all citizens and to ensure that human rights and fundamental freedoms are fully respected and guaranteed;
6.Urges the Government of Senegal to put an end to all acts of intimidation, to release immediately and unconditionally the demonstrators arbitrarily arrested and to take all necessary measures to put an end to impunity by ensuring that all perpetrators of acts of violence are brought to justice;
7.Calls on the Government of Senegal to honour its commitments under the African Charter, the Constitutive Act of the African Union and other relevant human rights instruments to which Senegal is a party.
Done virtually 2 August 2023
