The African Meeting for the Defense of Human Rights (RADDHO) says it is more concerned than ever about the situation the country is going through, in particular the deterioration of the political and social climate.
“RADDHO is particularly concerned by the continued deterioration of the political and social climate marked by gratuitous violence, the destruction of goods and property belonging to individuals or foreigners and the massive arrests noted in Senegal for several days. This situation weakens our institutions and mortgages the democratic gains wrested from a fierce struggle “, underlined Sadikh Niass, the secretary general in a statement made public.
For RADDHO, the arrest of the leader of PASTEF is arbitrary and unfounded. Sadikh Niass and company also find the repression of demonstrators unacceptable, but also the involvement of thugs.
“The arrest yesterday of Ousmane SONKO, leader of PASTEF for disturbing public order and participating in an unauthorized rally, while he was on his way to court to respond to the summons of the judge of the 8th cabinet is unfounded and arbitrary RADDHO is indignant at the recurrence of numerous and targeted arrests which sometimes amount to preventive arrests in the absence of serious charges contrary to the requirements of the rule of law.
The involvement of thugs armed with clubs collaborating with the police in the repression of demonstrations is inadmissible, as are the attacks, with tear gas, perpetrated on journalists on the orders of the prefect of Dakar.
She strongly regrets that this situation is happening in a difficult context where citizens are facing the Covid 19, which risks compromising all the efforts made to stop the progression of the pandemic “, regretted Sadikh Niass.
Faced with what it considers as serious violations of fundamental rights, RADDHO strongly condemns a questioning of the rights and freedoms noted for some time.
“RADDHO denounces the threats and attacks perpetrated against journalists and media outlets.
RADDHO reminds the authorities that the current health situation is hardly favorable to the mass arrests and detentions of people in places of deprivation of liberty and demands the immediate release of Ousmane SONKO and all those arrested without obvious charges. Moreover, RADDHO invites political actors, particularly the President of the Republic to appease the climate of tension and violence which places our country in an uncertain future “, claims Secretary General Sadikh Niass.
–
– .
