Senegal must end decades of impunity for human rights violations, Amnesty

London, 22 Jun – (ANA) - The new Senegalese government must demonstrate its commitment to safeguarding human rights by addressing the rampant impunity which undermines the judicial system and the rule of law, Amnesty International has said. In a report ‘Senegal: An agenda for human rights’, Amnesty highlights key challenges the new government must overcome to ensure human rights are enforced, respected and protected. “After years of impunity, the population has great expectations regarding justice,” said Gaëtan Mootoo, Amnesty International’s West Africa researcher. At least six people were killed in January and February 2012 by security forces when they violently repressed demonstrations opposing the candidacy of the outgoing President. The unrest fuelled other serious human rights violations such as protesters being arrested and tortured. (ANA)

FA/ANA/22 June 2012---------