Some 104 intellectuals from different countries, including Senegal, and from various sectors have signed a column for the attention of the Senegalese President, Macky Sall, in which they express their concerns about the situation prevailing in the country in terms of human rights.
“We are witnessing in Senegal a continual repressive escalation which foreshadows an uncertain future. It is the responsibility of intellectuals and of all citizens of good will, natural lookouts for endangered freedoms, to take up the defense of fundamental values in a state of law,” they say.
They cite as values to defend the freedom of expression and movement, the freedom to demonstrate peacefully and to assemble, the freedom to proclaim one’s support for or opposition to acts of political and social governance.
“In this respect, we note a flagrant, repeated and disproportionate violation of the rights of citizens but also the perpetuation of a constant effort of political instrumentalization of the judicial system by the administration of President Macky Sall”, they continue.
The signatories go further by affirming that “it happened to all the presidents of the Republic of Senegal to use justice unduly for political ends, but none of them did it with as much vehemence and brutality. than the current Head of State”.
“Beyond our differences and our ideological, political or cultural differences, we signatories from all countries strongly condemn the restrictions placed on the freedom of movement of citizens and the continuous instrumentalization of justice in Senegal”, hammer- them, adding that “a real threat weighs on the stability and social peace of the country” and that “it is time to come to your senses”.
For them, it is “unacceptable” that the fundamental rights of citizens are flouted without action, that democracy and the exercise of the freedoms of expression and movement are confiscated, that the constitutional rights in the political space are not respected , that Justice be exploited at will for political purposes.
Through their statement, they call on the Senegalese leader “to take immediate measures to restore calm, ensure social peace and move away from all challenges to the independence of the judiciary”.
By OMA Newsletter N° 1102 of 23/03/2023
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
