Seydi Gassama, Executive Director of Amnesty International Senegal, spoke on the amnesty law during his visit to the Jury on Sunday of May 4 on Iradio. For him, this law constitutes a negation of justice: “The law of amnesty is not a law of forgiveness. It is a law of impunity intended to protect the authors and sponsors from the most serious crimes committed against citizens. It is a law that should not even be passed, “he said.
The human rights defender believes that the recent decision of the Constitutional Council goes far beyond the sole question of amnesty: “This decision has an even stronger impact. It regulates a specific case but, above all, it draws a clear direction for the future of the country in matters of justice and respect for rights. »»
Seydi Gassama recalled his constant commitment to justice, citing his role in the Hissène Habré file. “I am one of those who have claimed that Hissène Habré be prosecuted, tried and sentenced to Senegal. Any political leader, wherever he exercises power, must report on his actions if he commits violations. Power should never guarantee immunity in the event of serious human rights attacks, “said Seydi Gassama.
-He clarified that he did not make any direct parallel between Macky Sall and Hissène Habré, but praised the initiative of deputy Guy Marius Sagna: “What Guy Marius Sagna did a completely normal process. It is now up to the Assembly to examine the relevance of the arguments, and to the justice to judge. »»
Returning to recent events, Gassama criticized security management under former President Macky Sall. “I can’t whiten Macky Sall. What happened between 2021 and 2024 remains under his responsibility. He chose to arm the police, strengthen the gendarmerie, and engage the country in a logic of confrontation, “he said.
In conclusion, Seydi Gassama insisted that the law of amnesty cannot, in any case, erase the crimes referred to by international treaties ratified by Senegal. “The Constitutional Council has clearly recalled that any state signatory of treaties must respect the terms. A national law cannot cancel international obligations. The signed and ratified treaties must be respected, ”he insisted.
