Human Rights Watch (HRW) published a report on Monday on the “pre-election crackdown” in Senegal, denouncing it for repressing the opposition, media, critics and other civil society members. Presidential elections are scheduled to be held in Senegal in February.
The report accuses the authorities, led by President Macky Sall, of arresting political opponents, stifling freedom of expression and using security forces to suppress dissent. The report details cases of arbitrary arrests, denial of due process and allegations of torture in detention. Further, journalists reportedly endure pressure, arrests and self-censorship.
According to the report, Senegal has been increasingly targeting opposition and media since 2021. Additionally, the report notes that civil society claims up to 1,000 arrests, with concerns about political manipulation and excessive force by security forces. The report also criticized the Constitutional Council’s vetting process for restricting candidates. Authorities allegedly use the judiciary against opponents, leading to prolonged pretrial detention. The Constitutional Council in Senegal manages presidential candidacies, compiles candidate lists, resolves election disputes and officially announces election results. Freedom of assembly is also allegedly curtailed, hindering political processes.
Ilaria Allegrozzi, a senior Sahel researcher at HRW, stated:
As Senegal heads to the polls, the stakes for its democracy are high; Senegalese authorities should initiate impartial, independent, and effective investigations into all cases of the use of force by security forces throughout the pre-election crisis and ensure that security forces respect the right to demonstrate peacefully.
Senegal is a country located in West Africa. It is known for its diverse culture, vibrant music scene and historical significance as a former French colony. The capital city is Dakar, and the official language is French. Senegal gained independence in 1960 and has since been recognized for its stable democracy in the region.
However, according to Freedom House’s index for 2022, Senegal scores 68 out of 100, designating it as a “partly free” country. This score is less than Senegal’s 2021 score, which was 71. Furthermore, recent politically motivated prosecutions and electoral law changes have impacted opposition competitiveness. While the country boasts relatively independent media, defamation laws constrain the freedom of the press. Challenges include government corruption, weak rule of law, and insufficient protections for women’s and LGBTQ+ rights.
Similarly, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranked Senegal 104 out of 180 countries in its 2023 Press Freedom Index, down from 73 in 2022. Furthermore, RSF reported media professionals in various political spheres faced increased arrests and violence leading up to the parliamentary elections in 2022. An investigative journalist was imprisoned for almost two months, accused of endangering national defense and spreading false news. Concerns about the safety of journalists intensified due to pretrial detentions and attacks on reporters.
