Concern over the actions of security officers is growing as demonstrations against President Macky Sall’s decision to postpone Senegal’s elections until December continue.
Following Sall’s announcement that the polls scheduled for February 25 would now take place at the end of the year, there were fatal skirmishes between protestors and police last week.
His declaration caused a crisis in Senegal and heightened opposition to what many see to be the president’s desire to prolong his term in office.
Human rights organizations, including the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), have urged the government to make sure that the nation’s long-standing traditions of democracy and respect for human rights be upheld.
OHCHR spokesman Liz Throssell stated, “It is imperative that the authorities clearly order the security forces to respect and ensure human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.”
She said, “At least 266 people have reportedly been arrested across the country, including journalists, and at least three young men have died during protests.”
The UN organization also called on all parties to refrain from using violence in the face of escalating tensions and reports of upcoming more protests.
“The proposed national dialogue should be as broad-based as possible, with genuine participation from opposition groups, women, youth, and marginalized groups,” stated UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.
A number of military takeovers have occurred in West Africa recently, although Senegal has been regarded as one of the region’s more stable democracies.
