Amnesty International called for an investigation into killings and police brutality against protestors in Senegal as the UN raised similar concerns over the use of force against protesters and restrictions on civic space in the wake of the Senegalese Parliament’s decision to postpone national elections. Three protesters were killed last week, including a 16-year-old boy shot in the head by security forces in Grand-Dakar Ziguinchor on February 10.

Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa Samira Daoud condemned on Tuesday the Senegalese authorities, accusing them of showing “utter disregard for peaceful dissent.” Daoud called for a prompt and thorough investigation into the lethal use of force against protesters. Senegal is a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, which both impose obligations on member states to uphold the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

The protests followed President Macky Sall’s request to delay national elections. Sall claimed that the constitutional judges responsible for approving all viable presidential candidates must be investigated for possible bribery charges. The Senegalese Parliament previously agreed to delay the elections until December 2024. Sall has been in power for 12 years and, having served two terms as president, is ineligible for reelection according to the Senegal Constitution.

However, crackdowns on protests, internet blackouts and threats against the media have become frequent in Senegal since 2021. Reporters Without Borders has voiced concern since 2021 after a law was passed to impose heavier restrictions on the press. Despite Amnesty International’s reports of at least 60 deaths in the context of the most protests, there have been no prosecutions announced.