Guest of the Sunday jury on IRADIO and ITV, Seydi Gassama, executive director of Amnesty International Senegal, praised the advances in compliance with rights and freedoms, in particular in matters of freedom to demonstrate.
However, he called for better consultation between authorities, political parties and civil society to guarantee the effective exercise of these rights.
He notes that “the BRT crosses the main axes where we used to demonstrate, like the boulevards Mamadou Dia and Bourguiba or the place of the nation, which is no longer adapted”. Recognizing the constraints linked to traffic, he believes that “the prefect believes that a weekly demonstration could block traffic between Dakar and Guédiawaye. On this point, we agree with him ”.
Regarding freedom of expression, Seydi Gassama expresses great concern in the face of frequent legal proceedings for defamation or false news, often triggered by the prosecution. He calls to limit these prosecution “to cases of serious disorders to public order”, recalling that “the Minister of Justice remains responsible for criminal policy in this country”.
According to him, “Senegalese democracy would benefit from favoring the protection of fundamental freedoms, while encouraging a climate of dialogue and tolerance”.
