UN expert Alice Jill Edwards highlighted severe overcrowding in Senegal’s prisons, warning it could lead to violence or disease outbreaks. During her visit, she found inmates in dire conditions, urging the government to improve. Although initiatives like electronic tagging were welcomed, she criticized the amnesty law enacted before the elections. The government plans to repeal this law in response to these pressing issues.
Alice Jill Edwards, the UN’s special rapporteur on torture, has expressed grave concerns regarding the critical state of overcrowding in Senegalese prisons, which she warns could lead to outbreaks of violence, riots, or diseases. Her observations stem from a recent fact-finding mission to the country, during which she described the prison conditions as “dramatic and inhumane.” Edwards urged the Senegalese government to enhance its efforts to align detention conditions with international standards.
During her visit to five different prisons, Edwards noted alarming conditions, including inmates being forced to sleep in shifts due to overcrowding. Many prisoners were found sharing mattresses and some were even sleeping in hallways, highlighting the dire shortage of space. Furthermore, sanitation facilities were reported to be critically lacking, exacerbating health risks for inmates.
While Edwards acknowledged recent government initiatives, such as the introduction of electronic tagging and plans for new prison constructions, she emphasized that these efforts alone would not suffice to resolve the ongoing crisis. The expert articulated the need for more robust measures to effectively address the underlying issues of prison overcrowding.
Edwards also criticized the amnesty law that was enacted before Senegal’s upcoming elections, which pardoned individuals involved in politically motivated violence from 2021 to 2024. This period has been marked with significant unrest, leading to 79 reported fatalities according to government records. The timing and implications of this law have raised serious ethical questions.
In an apparent response to Edwards’ findings, the Senegalese government announced intentions to repeal the controversial amnesty law, indicating a bill will soon be discussed in parliament. This move may reflect an effort to align more closely with international human rights standards and address the criticisms raised.
The UN rapporteur’s stark observations underscore a significant humanitarian crisis in Senegalese prisons, marked by severe overcrowding and inhumane living conditions. The government’s acknowledgment of the issue and the plan to repeal the amnesty law signal potential policy shifts. However, comprehensive reforms are essential to ensure the safety and dignity of inmates, aligning domestic practices with international standards.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
