Senegal: UN experts urge respect of fundamental freedoms ahead of elections

GENEVA (19 March 2024) – UN experts* today urged authorities in Senegal to ensure that political parties, journalists and human rights defenders can exercise their rights to freedom of association, assembly and expression during the electoral period.

The experts previously raised concerns with the Government about the prosecution and detention of opposition leaders and their supporters. They also welcomed the release of over 500 detainees amongst whom opposition leaders Ousmane Sonko and Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye last week, even if it is only days before presidential elections scheduled to be held on 24 March 2024.

“We urge authorities to uphold the fundamental freedoms necessary for an inclusive and meaningful democratic process, and end restrictions on public freedoms that the country has witnessed in recent years,” the experts said.

They noted that Senegal had witnessed unprecedented mass protests across the country, since March 2021, in response to the arrest and trial of opposition leaders. “Since then, several opposition leaders and supporters, journalists and human rights defenders have reportedly been arrested, killed or injured as result of excessive use of force by law enforcement,” the experts said.

“Senegalese authorities appear to have resorted to frequent restrictions on public freedoms, bans on protests and temporary internet shutdowns,” the experts said, pointing to the negative impact on the exercise of the right to freedom of expression and peaceful demonstrations by members of the political opposition and civil society.

“Arrests and bans on demonstrations are dangerously restricting the civic and political space that is an essential part of any democratic society,” the experts said.

They stressed that the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association are essential components of any democracy, allowing citizens of all ages to express their political opinions and creating the conditions for dialogue between the opposition and the majority that is essential to preserve the country’s democratic gains.

"We urge Senegalese authorities to create conditions conducive to the exercise of public freedoms, and in particular the rights of peaceful assembly, association and expression during the electoral period," the experts said.