Sénégal CSOs: File Legal Complaints Against Death Threats

• Twenty-two Senegalese civil society organizations (CSOs) have jointly denounced an increase in attacks and death threats against human rights defenders and critical voices.
• They highlighted the case of Babacar Ba, president of the Forum du Justiciable, who has faced repeated death threats and intimidation from political figures.
• The CSOs announced plans to file legal complaints against those responsible for insults, defamation, incitement to hatred, and death threats targeting civil society actors.
• They are demanding enhanced security measures and impartial investigations from the public prosecutor and the government.
• The organizations intend to engage regional and international human rights protection bodies if national authorities fail to adequately respond to their concerns.

This collective action underscores a critical juncture for human rights and freedom of expression in Senegal, signaling a determined stand by civil society against perceived threats to democratic principles.

Twenty-two civil society organizations (CSOs) in Senegal have collectively raised alarm over what they describe as escalating authoritarian tendencies and targeted campaigns of denigration. In a joint declaration issued from Dakar, these prominent groups highlighted a disturbing increase in attacks and explicit death threats directed at human rights defenders and other critical voices within the public sphere.

Central to their concerns is the specific plight of Babacar Ba, who presides over the Forum du Justiciable. Mr. Ba has reportedly been subjected to repeated death threats from unidentified individuals, alongside intimidation tactics that the CSOs attribute to political figures associated with the presidential administration. This particular case exemplifies the broader pattern of threats facing defenders of human rights in Sénégal.

Driven by a resolve to halt this dangerous escalation and safeguard the nation's democratic achievements, the signatory organizations have formally announced their intention to pursue legal actions. Their unified stance underscores a critical moment for freedom of expression and the protection of civil liberties across the country.

The coalition of Senegalese CSOs has outlined a clear strategy for legal recourse against these threats. They plan to initiate formal legal complaints against "X" (unidentified persons) and to actively prosecute those responsible for offenses such as insults, defamation, incitement to hatred, and the death threats specifically targeting civil society actors.

Beyond filing these legal complaints, the organizations are directly appealing to both the public prosecutor and the government. They are demanding the immediate implementation of enhanced security measures to protect vulnerable individuals and the launch of impartial investigations into all reported incidents. This proactive approach by the organisations société civile Sénégal actions aims to ensure accountability and deter further intimidation.

Furthermore, the CSOs categorically reject the instrumentalization of social media platforms and the deployment of political invectives as tools to suppress freedom of expression and undermine the crucial function of citizen oversight. Their demands emphasize the need for a safe and open environment for public debate, free from menaces.

The joint declaration is backed by a diverse and influential array of organizations, signaling a broad consensus on the gravity of the situation. Key signatories include Africa Jom Center, the African Meeting for the Defense of Human Rights (RADDHO), the Senegalese League for Human Rights (LSDH), the National Organization for Human Rights (ONDH), Réseau Siggil Jigéen, the Forum du Justiciable, ONG-3D, and COSCE. The involvement of such prominent groups, including RADDHO LSDH plaintes Sénégal, underscores the widespread concern among human rights advocates.

This collective action underscores a critical juncture for human rights and freedom of expression in Senegal, signaling a determined stand by civil society against perceived threats to democratic principles. The CSOs have also announced their intention to proactively engage regional and international human rights protection bodies. This strategic move to involve external oversight mechanisms will be triggered if national authorities fail to adequately address their concerns, provide necessary protection, and ensure justice for the victims of these threats. This highlights the potential for increased international scrutiny on Sénégal's human rights record.

Lawyers advising civil society organizations or individuals involved in public discourse in Senegal should be aware of the heightened legal risks and the proactive steps CSOs are taking, including filing complaints for defamation and threats. This development signals potential for increased litigation and international scrutiny regarding human rights and freedom of expression in the country.

Source: Original reporting from Dakar